Xiaotao, China – China (6-0) defeated the NetScouts Basketball USA All-Stars (4-2) 56-49 in Xiaotao before 5,321 fans. Guards Wang Jiaqi (21 points) and Li Yuan (17 points) led the way for China and combined for 38 of their teams 56 points. Nicole Kornet led the USA with 14 points while Brittany Crain had another double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. It was the second win for China over the USA All-Stars on the tour.
Defense and poor shooting dominated the first half with China scoring the last five points of the half to enter halftime with a 20-15 lead. The Americans committed ten first half turnovers and made only 1-of-9 three-pointers. The poor shooting continued for the USA in the third quarter as China ended the stanza with a 40-28 lead. Kornet’s shooting got the USA back into the game. She hit three of her four three-pointers in the final quarter with the last one bringing the Americans to within three points (52-49). China then hit two foul shots and closed out the game with a Jiaqi lay-up for the win.
Alisia Jenkins came on strong in the fourth quarter after a scoreless first half. Her nine rebounds and four steals helped the USA get back into the game. Kiara Kudron was solid at center helping hold 6-10 Han Xu to only three points. Crain hit two three-pointers and ended the game with her second straight double-double. The USA was done in by their poor shooting. They shot 24 percents for the game and made only 6-of-22 three-pointers. They shot a paltry 6-of-16 from the foul line and missed six straight second half attempts. Their 17 turnovers didn’t help.
NetScouts Basketball USA All-Stars Head Coach Perry Huang “It was a disappointing performance from our team coming off two big wins. We didn’t take care of the ball and lost our composure at times. Our poor shooting, especially on the free throws, really hurt. We’re looking forward to finishing the tour strongly.”
Canada (2-4) defeated Lithuania (0-6) 58-51 in the opener. The teams have arrived at our the final destination of Jiahe. The USA All-Stars will play Lithuania tonight. During the morning we will visit a special education school.
NetScouts Basketball USA All-Stars
Simone DeCoud (UC Riverside) 4 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
Leslie Lopez-Wood (LMU) 0 points, 1 assist
Alisia Jenkins (South Florida/Spain) 9 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 blocks
Kari Korver (UCLA) 0 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
Ashley Clark (Tulsa/Finland) 1 point, 2 rebounds, 1 assist
Nicole Kornet (UCLA) 14 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Kiara Kudron (Gonzaga) 8 points, 7 rebounds
Brittany Crain (UC Riverside/Luxembourg) 11 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals
Shereen Sutherland (UC Irvine) 0 points, 1 rebound
Rachel Mitchell (Texas A&M/Romania) 2 points, 3 rebounds
Information on NetScouts Basketball can be obtained here. Detailed articles on the tour will be found on the NetScouts Basketball Blog. Email carl@netscoutbasketball.com to get on the mailing list for tour related articles, information and photos
