SYDNEY (AP) — The United States is readily figuring out itself as stellar defensive squad by way of the usage of its athleticism to make it tough for warring parties to rating.
Shakira Austin scored 19 issues, Kahleah Copper added 16 and the U.S. performed suffocating defense to rout Puerto Rico 106-42 on Friday within the women’s World Cup.
“We talk every day about being hard to play against, getting deflections, and the team has really bought into that,” U.S. trainer Cheryl Reeve mentioned.
The Americans (2-0) compelled Puerto Rico into 21 turnovers and contested just about each and every shot, making each and every level difficult to come by way of.
“It’s fun playing on a team that loves to play defense, it really fuels our offense,” mentioned Alyssa Thomas, who had six of the Americans’ 13 steals.
The U.S. jumped out to a 27-11 lead after one quarter as Thomas had 10 issues and 5 steals within the opening 10 mins. The Americans compelled 9 turnovers within the duration. The U.S. stored the drive on in the second one, maintaining Puerto Rico with out a level for almost the primary 5 mins of the duration.
Mya Holingshed after all ended the drought, creating a contested 3-pointer that made it 40-17. The Americans led 54-21 on the part. There used to be little drama in the second one part because the U.S. stored extending its lead.
The Americans contained guard Arella Guirantes, who had 26 issues, 9 rebounds and 8 assists in Puerto Rico’s opening win over Bosnia and Herzegovina. She used to be held to seven issues on 2-of-12 capturing. The U.S. threw 4 or 5 other defenders at her, beginning with Copper.
“We like to be aggressive on both ends,” Breanna Stewart mentioned. “We can and will guard multiple positions and make it hard for the other team. Our activity and awareness of one and another on the defensive end will go a long way in the tournament.”
The U.S. now has received 24 consecutive World Cup video games since dropping within the 2006 semifinals to Russia. The Americans are two wins in need of matching their file 26-game run from 1998-2006.
Puerto Rico (1-1) used to be coming off its first-ever World Cup win. Hollingshed, who performed in faculty at Colorado, completed with 10 issues.
“The U.S. is the most important team in the tournament, but for us we are just trying to win one more game,” Puerto Rico captain Pamela Rosado mentioned.
REINFORCEMENTS
Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum landed in Sydney after celebrating the Las Vegas Aces’ first WNBA championship with a parade on Tuesday. They sat at the U.S. bench and cheered on their teammates. A’ja Wilson, the 3rd member of the championship workforce, used to be anticipated to land in Sydney later Friday.
“We’ll get some time in the morning with them before we play against a really good China team tomorrow,” Reeve said. “The depth will be helpful.”
BENCH PLAY
Led by way of Austin, the U.S. reserves outscored Puerto Rico’s 47-21. Brionna Jones added 15 issues and 9 forums.
RECORD WATCH
As just right because the U.S. defense used to be, it wasn’t the bottom scoring overall by way of an American opponent. Argentina had 22 issues in 1953. … The Americans additionally fell in need of the margin-of-victory file held by way of the 2014 workforce that beat Angola 119-44. … Thomas additionally fell one in need of the U.S. file for steals in a recreation set by way of Cheryl Miller in 1986. Tamika Catchings had six in opposition to Russia in 2002. Olga Gomez of Cuba holds the World Cup file of 10 in opposition to France in 1994.
UP NEXT
Puerto Rico: Faces Belgium on Saturday.
U.S.: Plays China on Saturday.
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