USA beats Nigeria in weird & strange game...

[DavidinNaples]

As expected, the USA women's basketball team rolled over Nigeria 71-40, but not before playing some really strange basketball. For example, Taurasi, Loyd and Plum shot a combined 2-14 from the field. But, USA still won. The weirdness didn't stop there:

1. USA had more turnovers (23) than assists (22).
2. USA shot 12% in the 1st period and trailed 17-9.
3. Taurasi played 12 minutes and Morgan Tuck was in for only 7 minutes.
4. Nigeria scored 17 points in the 1st period and then only 17 in the whole 2nd half.
5. USA made 10 free throws, but missed 7 others.

The good news is some things were as they always are:
1. Stewie torched Nigeria for 19 points on 7-8 shooting in just 24 minutes.
2. Sue Bird and Stewie led the team with 5 assists each.
3. Tina Charles grabbed 15 rebounds !
4. USA depth won out in the 4th period with a 25 to 5 advantage over Nigeria.
5. USA defense held Nigeria to 25% shooting overall and 14% from 3 pt range.

Looks like the USA defense showed up just in time. Next game is Saturday, against the winner of Belgium vs France. No time schedule posted yet.

Go USA..!!

 

[baggerbob]

View attachment 34736

As expected, the USA women's basketball team rolled over Nigeria 71-40, but not before playing some really strange basketball. For example, Taurasi, Loyd and Plum shot a combined 2-14 from the field. But, USA still won. The weirdness didn't stop there:

1. USA had more turnovers (23) than assists (22).
2. USA shot 12% in the 1st period and trailed 17-9.
3. Taurasi played 12 minutes and Morgan Tuck was in for only 7 minutes.
4. Nigeria scored 17 points in the 1st period and then only 17 in the whole 2nd half.
5. USA made 10 free throws, but missed 7 others.

The good news is some things were as they always are:
1. Stewie torched Nigeria for 19 points on 7-8 shooting in just 24 minutes.
2. Sue Bird and Stewie led the team with 5 assists each.
3. Tina Charles grabbed 15 rebounds !
4. USA depth won out in the 4th period with a 25 to 5 advantage over Nigeria.
5. USA defense held Nigeria to 25% shooting overall and 14% from 3 pt range.

Looks like the USA defense showed up just in time. Next game is Saturday, against the winner of Belgium vs France. No time schedule posted yet.

Go USA..!!

Stevie playing the 3 makes this team unstoppable on offense. No one can guard Stevie at that position on the other teams, and if they put a small quicker player she will post up, and destroy them.

 

[eebmg]

DT was in foul trouble early and also got T'd up which is a personal foul in international play. She needs to understand that the ref's will not give her the slack that she is used to in the WNBA. Australia destroyed China 83-42 and they look great. I do not see how it is not a US / Aus Final
Stewie was the easy MVP of this game. Calm and collected, she was very efficient.

 

[eebmg]

Belgium beats France 86-65 and face the US in the semi's. France was never in it. Interesting last second when Belgium up by 18 hit a last second 30' 3pt shot as time ran out instead of the customary sportsmanship of letting the clock run out. Happy that Meesseman's sacrifice for her club seems to have paid off. Looking foward to the last Quarters with Canada/Spain.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Its been said before, but DT needs to be able to control her emotional outbursts. There no reason for her to get a Technical for complaining/mouth off to an official. It's not getting her anywhere positive. Like in College she gets played more physical then many other players, but she's quick to dish it out as well.

 

[JordyG]

It's about time this team showed a little defense. Until now teams have had success spreading the floor and beating the US off the dribble. When not, the US has had problems keeping the other teams guards out of the lane.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Some recollections (after watching 3 subsequent games):

We started horribly. Nigeria is athletic and played good pressure defense. As David notes, we shot like crap in Q1: 2 FGs, I believe.

As noted last week, only a severe bludgeoning--or a reach-in--merits a foul call.

The technical fouls called all day were based on marginal player/coach behavior. Dee's was not egregious. But having more fouls and TOs than points is not very GOAT-like.

Tina Charles worked very hard and had a good game. She got every defensive rebound for stretches.

Stewie was her MVP self, with 19 points on only 8 shots. Dawn played her a lot, but maybe not enough.

Plum seemed to struggle with the quickness of the Nigerian guards.

Sue hit a couple of threes late in the game that were the final daggers. She also had some very nice assists.

The rims were bizarrely tight. Several shots in all 4 games rattled out after being halfway down. Even Nneka couldn't buy a layup.

Australia demolished China. The Aussies look tough. China couldn't score inside with Cambage on the floor, but they did school Ezi at times.

The best performance of the day, in my opinion, was by Belgium. I thought they were Emma Meessemann and some nobodies, but their guard play was sharp and they made shots for much of the game. They led France by 30 in the 3rd quarter. They were fun to watch! France shot 25% inside the arc and had more than 10 shots rattle out on the tight rims.

As noted in the other thread, Canada played tough for 3 quarters and then self-destructed. Spain hit some outside shots in the 4th quarter. When they get rolling, they are tough. Astou Ndour played very well for Spain, hitting from the arc and beating the defense down the floor for layups repeatedly.

I am not taking anything for granted, The next 2 games will be tough. The 4 semi-finalist are all talented. We need to play well to get 2 wins. The Spanish crowd is probably worth 10 points.

 

[MilfordHusky]

Its been said before, but DT needs to be able to control her emotional outbursts. There no reason for her to get a Technical for complaining/mouth off to an official. It's not getting her anywhere positive. Like in College she gets played more physical then many other players, but she's quick to dish it out as well.

Dee was restrained tonight. And very effective.