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The US team strikes back after their loss to Japan with two exciting wins over Australia and Canada. Today's games vaulted the US team to the Championship game to be played tomorrow. The 3rd/4th place game and the Championship Game will be broadcast live on the internet through the Mobachoo website. These games are scheduled to remain on the internet for up to 30 days after the games conclude. The US team will take the court against Australia in the Championship Game starting at 1:30pm (Osaka time), allowing viewers here in the States to watch the game at 11:30 PM EST.
Click on the following link to see the games.
http://www.i-project.jp/stand/mobachoo/wb-fgoc/index_e.html
This morning's game against Australia started with Gail Gaeng, Loraine Gonzales, Natalie Schneider, Jennifer Chew, and Emily Hoskins taking the floor for the Americans. The tip was won by the US, quickly followed by Jen Chew scoring the games first points. Similar to the Japanese game plan, the Australian team used an effective full court press early on to build a 6 point lead. However, Coach Kiley began full line substitutions, and the full line changes appeared to confuse the Australian team allowing several US fast break points cutting the Australian lead to 3. The first quarter ended with USA 9, AUS 13.
The 2nd Quarter starters Carlee Hoffman, Andrea Woodson-Smith, Darlene Hunter, Sarah Castle and Caitlin McDermott added a new found intensity to the game, and challenged the Australians to some of the hardest action yet. The Aussies answered with a push of their own adding 10 points during their run. At the 12 second remaining point a battle for strategic floor position had the referees step in and send the players back to their benches to complete the time out. This positioning was setting up the battle for the last shot of the half. An Aussie steal on the US inbound gave the shot to the Australians, finishing the half leading the US by 9. USA 21, AUS 30.
Coach Kiley challenged the players to be on a mission, play stronger and hold their ground. The Australian teamed continued to work its way into the paint but the US team played tough, picking up some fouls and letting the Australians know that there would be no free passes for the rest of the game. The new pressure from the US rattled the Australian team as their shots began to bounce out and their team picked up enough fouls to put the US team on the free throw line with 5 minutes remaining in the period. By the end of the third the US team closed the gap; USA 35, AUS 39.
The early half of the fourth quarter continued the physical battle between the teams. With 5 minutes remaining in the game the score was tied at 45. With 46 seconds remaining Gonzales fit her way through the middle of the lane to drop another 2 points. The next play for the Australian's collapsed with an offensive foul, giving the ball back to the US with 34 seconds remaining sending Castle back to the free throw line. After making one of the two shots the Australians called a time out with the USA leading 52-49. The Aussies as they scored on the next possession cutting the US lead to one with 14 seconds to go. On the following US possession Loraine Gonzales was fouled hard being pulled down from behind by an Australian defender. At the line Gonzales added another point to the US total. Natalie Schneider was then fouled next, with her second shot missing it's mark. Australia misses it's last shot to tie the game, and USA wins 54 - 51 over Australia.
The Canada game with the US was as fast and furious as the earlier game with Australia. Natalie Schneider lead the US scoring with 19, followed by Loraine Gonzales with 10, and both Emily Hoskins and Sarah Castle with 10 points each. All but one of the USA players added to the score tally. Natalie Schneider was 9 for 16 from the floor and certainly provided the spark for the US victory.
See the box scores below for the progress of this game.
1st Quarter: USA 17, CAN 16
2nd Quarter: USA 17, CAN 13
3rd Quarter: USA 12, CAN 17
4th Quarter: USA 22, CAN 18
FINAL SCORE: USA 68, CAN 64 |
