Istanbul – A number of observations about the state of women’s basketball on a global scale can be extracted from the quarterfinals of the FIBA Women’s World Championships in Istanbul today. The biggest? That there is still no competition for Team USA.
Looking at a big showdown with France, which took an exhibition win 76-72 in Paris over a Brittney Griner-less USA team a few weeks ago, the hopes of a competitive game were dashed within the first few minutes as the USABWNT jumped out fast and never gave France a chance to compete. The final score 94-72 showed the inside dominance of pro stars Brittney Griner (17pts), Tina Charles (15pt) and Nneka Ogwumike (8pts). Having four former UConn players (Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi (6asst), Maya Moore (10pts) and Charles on the floor doesn’t hurt.
“We set the tone, we went off being aggressive, said Maya Moore. “When we got those stops we were running.”
Running led to blazing first-half shooting of 70% FG, 67% 3pt, 70% FT for a game-over 53-32 half-time lead.
“When you come out and shoot the ball the way we shot it in the first half, it’s kinda difficult for the another the other team to keep pace, said USA Women’s Basketball head coach Geno Auriemma. “We have so many good offensive players. But the way we started the game, Tina and Brittney set the tone early on. We agreed to get them established in the lane, then we just really played off of that.”
For a complete box score of the USA – France game, follow the link below.
http://www.fiba.com/world/women/2014/0310/USA-France#|tab=boxscore_statistics
The upset of France by host Turkey in the Pool B showdown enabled Turkey to avoid the USA bracket and forced France into a quarterfinal matchup unlike an Olympic finals game in London. It was a USA team responding to a loss but responding with Griner who changed France’s inside aspirations.
“I think the offense (of Griner was the most disruption),” said France coach Valarie Garnier. “Offense because when she is under the basket it is difficult to defense. When you want to trap her on the inside you give up the three point shot.”
The steady long-time USA backcourt duo of Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi kept France on their guard heels and it was a scrimmage-like atmosphere the rest of the game. Team USA faces perennial foe Australia which is in the middle of a team makeover after London as eight players retired or were unavailable for competition. Since then two more starts, all bigs, in Lauren Jackson and Liz Cambage became unavailable.
“It’s a shame they lost their big kid (Cambage), commented Auriemma. “It seems like the tables been reversed. They lose Liz, we add Brittney. I thought it was going to be a great match up between the two of them. “Overall, as Maya said we beat a really good team tonight. We look forward to tomorrow (versus Australia).”
TURKEY PREVAILS
Turkey used it’s 12,000+ fans and five more offensive rebounds to outlast a tough, scrappy Serbia team 62-61 which was making its first FIBA World Championship Elite Eight. Afterwards Serbian Coach Marina Maljkovic was dejected and upset to see her team win everywhere except in the final score. She acknowledged the impact of the fans on her team as they lost a 10-point 3rd quarter lead only to see Turkey move ahead to start the final quarter 41-40. This ensures another big semifinals crowd for both host Turkey vs Spain and USA vs. Australia.
Earlier games with Australia beating Canada 63-52 and Spain defeating China 71-55 underscores the advances made by both losers. The Aussie and Spain are perennial women’s basketball powers and while some teams are in age transition, China (avg. age 24.0) and first timer Serbia (avg. age 25.0) brought youth to the event. Even a youthful Canada (avg. age 25.0) made noise with their gutty play. Having this high a finish (Top 8) will provide the Canadian Women’s National team program additional performance funds, something that is a regular custom for many countries outside the USA. Even though it’s a loser bracket game, France faces Canada before the evening semi-finals at Ulker Arena in Istanbul. China vs. Serbia starts off the schedule on Saturday morning.
