For some fans of the United States’ women’s basketball national team, their final group stage contest of the FIBA World Cup had to make them think, “Ahh, that’s more like it.”
They concluded group play in Group D unbeaten after a 102-76 victory over Latvia.
With the victory, Dawn Staley’s team not only won Group D, but clinched a berth in the FIBA World Cup quarterfinals. Team USA will know which team it shall play on Friday during the second day of quarterfinal contests.
After only leading by a score of 52-42, the USA opened up a big lead in the third quarter by outscoring Latvia 26-8.
Tina Charles scored 18 points and shot eight out of 13 from the field. She also grabbed six rebounds. Diana Taurasi scored 16.
DT did DT things en route to 16 pts. in the win over Latvia#USABWNT #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/6Ux867SFyv
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 26, 2018
In her return to action, Brittney Griner scored 15 points and hauled in six rebounds. A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart scored 12 points each and had eight rebounds each. Jewell Loyd finished with 11 points and seven rebounds and Nneka Ogwumike had 10 points and five rebounds.
3Q: 🇺🇸 #USABWNT 78, 🇱🇻 Latvia 50
USA takes off on a 17-0 run over the final 5:08 of the third! @brittneygriner paces five U.S. players in double figure scoring with 15 pts. #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/WMIUUJjAhM
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 25, 2018
Anete Steinberga led all scorers with 30 and also had nine rebounds. Kristine Vitola and Kitija Laksa each scored 12 with Vitola also contributing 10 rebounds to the Latvia effort.
