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Led by Sylvia Fowles, USA defeats China 83-46 in exhibition

Sylvia Fowles leads all scorers in USA exhibition win over China

Social recap || Box score || Quotes

Led by Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles, the USA routed China 83-46 in an exhibition contest at KeyArena in Seattle Thursday night. The game served as preparation for the FIBA World Cup in September.

“I thought we had a good showing,” said USA head coach Dawn Staley. “We got off to a fast start, slowed down a little bit in the second quarter, and then we picked it back up. A true part of what USA Basketball is all about is being able to insert a lot of talent into the game.

The USA raced out to an early 7-0 advantage led by Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart. Her squad led in double digits for a stretch in the first quarter. At 3:14, China was down by 13 points. However, the visitors to KeyArena gained ground as the first period came to a close but the USA headed into the second quarter leading 19-12.

China continued its momentum into the second quarter with a 19-10 run to tie the game at 25. However, the USA didn’t let the visitors overcome and with some key plays from Atlanta Dream guard Layshia Clarendon, Team USA began to pull away for good. After free throws from Clarendon at 2:28 in the second quarter, the USA led 33-25. The USA closed the half on a 13-0 run to earn a 42-25 advantage going into the break.

China had no answers in trying to climb out of a hole in the last two quarters. The USA outscored China 23-13 in the third quarter and 18-8 in the last period.

Fowles paced her team with 16 points plus five rebounds. Three other USA players were in double figures. Stewart and Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi had 14 points each while Atlanta Dream forward Elizabeth Williams scored 10 and pulled down five rebounds.

No Chinese player scored more than seven points.

The USA shot 49.9 percent from the field compared to 26.6 percent for China. The Americans also outrebounded the Chinese 44-30.

Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne did not play due to a neck strain she suffered in practice on April 24. Connecticut Sun forward Morgan Tuck replaced her for the exhibition.

China continues its US tour with games against two WNBA teams. The Chinese will face the Las Vegas Aces on May 6 and the Los Angeles Sparks on May 12.

The USA will face China in group play to begin its quest for the World Cup title. Both teams are in Group D along with Senegal and Latvia.

The USA plays Senegal on Sept. 22, China on Sept. 23 and Latvia on Sept. 25. Group A includes Canada, France, Greece and South Korea; Group B is made up of of Argentina, Australia, Nigeria and Turkey. Group C includes Belgium, Japan, Puerto Rico and Spain.

Following the preliminary round, teams will be seeded. The top team from each group will earn an automatic berth to the quarterfinals. The No. 2 and No. 3 teams from each group will advance to the Sept. 26 quarterfinals play-in round. From there, winners will compete in the Sept. 28-30 medal round.

The USA National Team will be coached by Staley (South Carolina head coach) through 2020. Assisting Staley through the 2018 FIBA World Cup are a trio of head coaches, Dan Hughes (Seattle Storm), Cheryl Reeve (Minnesota Lynx) and Jennifer Rizzotti (George Washington).

Social Media Recap


https://twitter.com/hoopfeed/status/989696075106734082

Quotes

USA head coach Dawn Staley (University of South Carolina)
Opening statement:
I thought we had a good showing, we got off to a fast start, slowed down a little bit in the second quarter, and then we picked it back up. A true part of what USA Basketball is all about is being able to insert a lot of talent into the game.

On third quarter surge and turning the game into a more of a transition game:
They started to play a little bit of zone, so we had to beat the zone down the floor. We just played faster basketball, playing in transition, and allowed them to sit back in that zone. I thought we made some adjustments defensively that allowed us to turn them over and create some easy buckets to open the game up.

Seemed like the game changed when you went inside:
Well I think that is one of the strengths of our basketball team. I thought we did a great job of just moving the basketball, getting us into our high-low looks. I think this team is a very unselfish basketball team with a lot of weapons. Tonight, we did our job, we got the ball into the paint and I think that is a place in which we have the advantage over a lot of teams.

On new players and any surprises from them:
I thought they all just played off of what our veteran players gave us. You know, anytime you’re playing with such talent, I mean we have six Olympians on this particular basketball team, you rise to the occasion of playing at that level, so I thought they all did a great job given the committee and opportunity to see them play, and see them play well.

On Elena Delle Donne’s injury (neck strain) and if it’s long term:
No I think we’re just airing on, you know just being cautious, she’s got (WNBA) training camp. I think she sustained a neck injury, I think an elbow to the neck, and we just didn’t want to put her in a position where she’d be out for any days of training camp.

Sue Bird (Seattle Storm)
Opening statement on the game overall:
I thought this game was great, you know Dawn [Staley] said it in her pre-game talk, we beat up on each other for two days and now we got to beat up on somebody else. And more than anything, it’s just building blocks, you know, today and really the last three days we’ve been able to set the foundation, set the ground work for what will be, hopefully, the building blocks for the World Cup and beyond. So this is just the first step but I think it was a pretty good one.

On the first unit (five Olympic gold medalists) and their experience:
Probably just because we’re used to playing with each other, we’re used to playing against international competition, we know what to expect of one another so it’s easier to just kind of wing it because, in all honesty, you know, we’ve only been together for three days. It’s a brand new thing – and basketball is a team sport and it takes a lot of chemistry to look really good out there. So yeah, that’s probably what that was, just us being familiar with each other. But you could see as the game went, yeah, we had some tough stretches, that’s going to happen, but as the game went people started to settle down a little bit. There’s also, of course, new players to this so they’re going to have some jitters but once that all cleared I think everybody kind of started to figure out their places and where they’re kind of going to fit in and you could see it come out in the second half.

Layshia Clarendon (Atlanta Dream)
On any nerves in her first game out with USA Basketball
Yeah, you could tell a lot of the younger players came in and were throwing the ball all over the place. A few nerves, but I didn’t lose my confidence. It’s nerve wracking … you’re chasing your dream so of course (there were nerves).

On if her nerves ever went away
Kind of right after those two turnovers I had. I was like, okay, just settle down a little bit. I think once you get in the game, run up and down a few times … your adrenalin is pumping so much and I was amped up. (My nerves) went away right after that.

On if this a game she’ll always remember
It definitely will be. Like I said, chasing your dream and finally getting that foot in the door – it’s a moment, whether I make it all the way to Tokyo or the Worlds, or not, this is the first step so it was a big deal. It’s such an honor. I had a smile on my face most of warm ups thinking, ‘This is so cool!’

On what she’ll remember most from the game
I’ll definitely remember those two turnovers. I think it’s a great story to tell – the first game I stepped in with the National Team I threw the ball over, but it’s the resilience and the growth in not crumbling, whereas maybe as a rookie or second-year player I would’ve turned the ball over and maybe lost my confidence. But here it’s more playing with people you’re not used to so for me, that growth perspective is big.

Sylvia Fowles (Minnesota Lynx)
On what was clicking during the 25-0 run between the 2nd and 3rd quarters
Just the chemistry over time out there with (Diana Taurasi), Sue (Bird) and (Breanna Stewart). We had the opportunity to play with each other in previous years so I think it’s just the chemistry of knowing where we’re going to be and them getting me the ball … it worked.

On the game overall
I’m liking where we’re going. I think we have a little ways to go, but I’m happy with the direction we’re moving in.

On if China’s second quarter run had to do with some of the new players still finding their way:
Most definitely. I think Dawn (Staley) did a good job of making sure we’d go out there and be confident so I think that’s why we played a lot in the first half. The second half definitely was about the babies and making sure they go out there and learn and stumble along the way, but at the same time just know that it’s okay to mess up and just keep pushing.

On playing under Coach Dawn Staley so far:
So far, so good. You know me, I’m easy. I don’t complain and go out there and try to do the task at hand and go from there.

On how prepared she feels for the World Cup
I think we’re moving in the right direction. We can’t really say because we don’t know if these pieces are still going to be the same once we hit World Cup and what pieces we’re going to be adding back on. Right now I’m liking the direction we’re moving in, but I’m pretty sure we have a lot more work to do.

Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm)
On playing with USA Basketball in front of the Storm fans:
It was awesome. Playing in Seattle and having some of the fans you know and the season ticket holders here, and playing with Team USA, it was special, something I won’t forget. It was electrifying, it’s really cool to see a preview of what the season will be like.

On if she was able to do everything she wanted to do:
I missed way too many shots. For me, it’s doing the little things. Boxing out, rebounding, pushing, making the right decisions. I don’t know how many turnovers I had but for me that is a big thing, keeping them low. Hopefully they weren’t too high. I was just trying to get a rhythm, you’re playing with all new players so just trying to be a good teammate.

On her steals:
Yeah, that’s something that I’ve been focusing on, my defense. I definitely think I can be a really good defender. One, I am in better shape, and two it’s a mindset of pride and not getting beat. It’s definitely something I’ve been working on. So for me, its success because those are the two things I’m really focusing on.

On her future goals with USA Basketball and making the World Cup roster:
Of course, I think that’s why we’re all here. We definitely want a shot of winning a gold medal and being on the World Cup. A gold medal is the highest achievement you can have, that’s definitely one of our goals.

On what she saw during the starters’ 25-0 run
Energy, leadership and execution. That’s really big. Obviously they’ve been playing together for a while, they understand each other. They understand not to force things, that’s just their experience. The younger players are trying to get to that.

On the comfort level with the second unit in the second half:
Yeah I mean, once everyone settles in, anyone gets comfortable, lets loose. There’s no pressure. That’s with every team, you have two halves for a reason.

On her focus heading into the WNBA season:
Definitely, Defense is something I’m definitely working on. Steals and turnovers. Execution and really trying to play free. Not thinking too much or anything.

On why defense is her focus in 2018:
Dan. Our Storm coach. That’s the first thing we talked about is his defense. It’s a mindset, knowing that I can and I will. That’s next level for our team. We can get out and we can guard and we can get easy points by getting steals. We have to focus a little more on staying connected on defense, using my length and athleticism.

On learning from Diana Taurasi:
She’s always someone that I’m been watching for years and listen to all the time. She’s always talking and is a really great leader. No matter where she’s playing, she always plays her game. She never shies away from that and for me, that’s something I want to do as well, so what’s better than to learn from her? She’s the goat.

On Kobe Bryant and the example he sets for Jewell
Any time I talk to him, there’s three things, first it’s always to just keep it simple. And then to know that you’re shooting and you guard. You shoot and you guard. It’s pretty black and white, it’s really simple. You do those three things, and that’s what basketball is about from my position.

Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm)
Opening statement on the game overall:
I think it was, going off of what Dawn [Staley] just said, great to come out and play in our first exhibition game especially in Seattle. You know, usually with USA Basketball we don’t have a lot of time together so the fact that we did pretty well with the past few days of practice and, you know, any time you’re able to come out and represent USA it’s an honor and it’s a lot of fun when you have the other best players in the world just playing around.

On playing on the international level in Seattle:
It was great and I think it’s great timing, you know, as training camp starts on Sunday. Just to get back out on the court at Key [Arena]. You know, obviously we always have a lot of support every time we come out on the court here and, you know, hopefully we’ll come back and play here some more.

Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury)
On knocking down a 3 in her first game in six months:
That does feel good. I haven’t been playing basketball like that in a five-on-five setting since probably December so sometimes it feels good when you put a lot of time into the gym. The last three months have been a lot of rehab, a lot of strengthening and trying to get into better shape. Today felt good. I think as a team, we looked good in stretches and that felt good for everyone.

On if this team has a personality yet:
I just think when you get together with USA Basketball, people change just a little bit on their expectations and give into the team mentality. We’ve talked to a lot of the younger kids and we told them to keep it simple, go out there and have fun, you’re here for a reason and to trust your teammates. I think for the three days we were together that this team did that really, really well.

On the younger players showing a bit of their youth during the second quarter
That’s all part of the process. I can remember when Sue and I were younger that there were times when things felt like they were going really, really fast. As you get older, things slow down a little bit and you can go back to that experience that you’ve had. Everything doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. I think in the second half they did a better job of coming in and playing a little bit more relaxed.

On the difference in chemistry with the more experienced players on the floor
You can just tell those are veteran players with Sue, Stewie, Syl and Seimone (Augustus) and myself. We’ve been on this team for a long time and we know what’s expected. We always tell each other to just stay out of each other’s way. Sometimes it’s just as easy as that. When you have talent like that on the court, you just have to make sure you use it.

On  playing under Dawn Staley for the first game:
Dawn had been great. I was in camp in Columbia (South Carolina) in February and got a little taste of the things she wanted to put in. In these three days, you can just feel her leadership and the things that she wants to implement, both on defense and offense. There’s a reason why she was the best point guard in the world for a long time. And now she’s been so successful (at South Carolina) and she’s going to continue that with our team.

On not having Geno Auriemma’s voice on the sideline
Oh, it feels so good (laughs). I miss Coach Auriemma. He’s meant a lot to a lot of us. I still talk to him on the regular and he’s still cheering from afar and still has a hand in being on the (USA Basketball) committee. He’s still very involved, but I think Dawn is well prepared for this. She’s showed it in the last couple camps.

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