Candace Parker controversy or no Candace Parker controversy, the USA Basketball Women’s National Team still manages to do what it does best – make opponents look like they do not belong on the same court or the same town as the Stars and Stripes.
This was once again the case on Thursday night at KeyArena when Team USA, in its first exhibition under new head coach Dawn Staley, blew out the visiting Chinese team by a final of 83-46.
In spite of a slow start, things gradually shifted in Team USA’s favor and it became a display of vintage USA basketball.
We got off to a fast start, slowed down a bit in the second quarter and then we picked it back up.
–USA Basketball head coach Dawn Staley
That’s a true mark of what USA Basketball is all about, being able to insert a lot of talent into the game.
Leading the way was reigning WNBA and WNBA Finals MVP Sylvia Fowles who picked up right where she left off at the conclusion of last season. It was a 16-point outing for Sweet Syl along with 14 each via Diana Taurasi and Breanna Stewart, playing on her home W floor in the Emerald City.
Also playing in front of her home fans was Sue Bird, who dished out a quintet of assists.
.@AtlantaDream guard Tiffany Hayes goes coast-to-coast for her 1st bucket with the National Team! 🇺🇸
USA leads China 19-12 after 1st quarter in Seattle. #USABWNT pic.twitter.com/DBm3Nf8qQU
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 27, 2018
The Stars and Stripes did get out to a fast start with a 17-4 run to open the game, but China was not going away and managed to tie up the game at 25 apiece prior to halftime.
This is a brand new thing and basketball’s a team sport.
–Sue Bird
Yeah we had some tough stretches, it’s going to happen. But as the game went, people started to settle down a little bit. They’re going to have some jitters. Once that all cleared, everybody started to figure out their places and where they’re kind of going to fit in.
What followed was a 25-0 Team USA run that spanned two periods into the third quarter.
Back-to-back buckets for reigning #WNBA MVP @SylviaFowles! USA closes on a big run and leads China 42-25 at halftime 🇺🇸
Watch live: https://t.co/HUHGy1TH28 pic.twitter.com/EvkIQNF4HV
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 27, 2018
One of those nights for @DianaTaurasi! She's up to 14 PTS as USA leads China 65-38 heading into 4th quarter. 🇺🇸
Watch live: https://t.co/HUHGy1TH28 pic.twitter.com/4uMjKVWSpJ
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 27, 2018
Next up for Team USA is when they will prepare for the FIBA World Cup later on this Fall. Performances such as that against China should once again tab Team USA as the odds on favorites.
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
