The USA Basketball Women’s National Team has aspirations on once again proving that it is the best team in the world. That journey included a Friday matchup against Canada to prove that it is the best team in North America.
Yes, Team USA may not have hit the century mark like they did in its previous three matchups, but they still managed to defeat Team Canada by a whopping 30 points as they prevailed over the neighbors to the north by a final of 81-51.
That victory also clinched its Group B for the United States in what turned out to be very convincing fashion.
Team USA won this game on the back of a balanced scoring effort. Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi led the way with 12 points each and Tina Charles added another 10. They also won the game thanks to a ferocious effort on the glass. Team USA outrebounded Canada 43-25.
Canada was also out-assisted 22-12. Team USA’s defense also held Tamara Tatham to only five points and Kia Nurse to a mere three on one-for-nine from the field.
If the first quarter was any indication as to how this game was going to go, it would have signaled that this would have been a close game. Team USA only had a two-point lead on Canada after one quarter as Canada’s defense kept them in the game.
Then, it was Team USA’s turn to increase the defensive pressure as in the second quarter, they held Canada to only six points as it was a 36-22 halftime lead.
It was in the third period where it became apparent that what was once a nail-biter was quickly turning into another blowout by Team USA, increasing its advantage to 24 at 60-36.
Next up for the Americans is China at 11:15 a.m. ET on Sunday (NBCSN).
By: Akiem Bailum (@AkiemBailum on Twitter, Instagram)
