DavidinNaples
11 is way better than 2..!! :)
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2013
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Earlier this year, in late March/early April, UConn put together a impressive six game winning streak during the NCAA tournament. The Huskies outscored the opposition 517-272 for an average margin of victory of over 40 pts per game. When the last game ended, UConn had won their record tying 8th National Championship. During that streak, Breanna Stewart emerged as a scoring & rebounding machine and was named Most Outstanding Player.
Fast forward to Lithuania this evening. Stewart and UConn team mates Morgan Tuck and Moriah Jefferson have literally led the USA U-19 team to nine straight victories in pursuit of yet another Gold metal, the 5th straight. (Three more games remain for Team USA to claim the Gold.) The average margin of victory so far, 32 pts per game, although the most recent victory over France was by only 6 points.
Just like in the NCAA tournament, Stewie is on fire, despite being the #1 focus of every opponents' defensive game plan. She is leading the team in scoring with 140 points in just 209 minutes. She is shooting 49% (52-106) from the field (67% from 3 pt.) and an incredible 93% (27-29) from the free throw line. Add in 46 rebounds, as well as an amazing 14 steals and just 10 turnovers, and Stewie may add another MOP to her overstuffed trophy case.
While USA uses all 12 of their players during most games, Stewie, Tuck and Jefferson start the beginning of each half when the competition is fresh, games are still close and minutes matter the most. Like in the NCAA tournament, teams seem unable to stop Stewie, even with frequent double teams. Fouling her doesn't work either, with Stewie making 27 free throw attempts. Because of one sided games, Stewart is averaging only 23 minutes of play per game, but has still managed to average 15.5 points by hitting 49% of her 12 attempts per game. Imagine if she played the whole game.
The USA team enters the Quarter, Semi and Final rounds on Friday, July 26th through Sunday, July 28th. On a team loaded with talent, even if opponents could stop Stewie, it might not help. In any case, good luck with that game plan. Go USA and Go Huskies..!!