Jiahe, China – A disciplined and determined group of Australians upset the NetScouts Basketball Women’s USA All-Stars (3-1) 78-68 tonight in the opening action in Jiahe. Australia was tough on the boards ending the game with a +7 advantage while limiting the Americans to 17 percent shooting from long-distance (5-of-28).
Despite a strong second quarter that helped them build a four-point lead into halftime, the Americans couldn’t withstand a wave of good shooting from the Australians in the third and fourth quarters. The USA All-Stars scorched the nets in the first quarter by shooting 4-of-8 from three point land but then went very cold, shooting 1-of-20 from behind the arc in the remaining three periods.
Jazmine Perkins
After taking a 47-45 lead in the first half, the Americans fell victim to cold shooting, lackluster rebounding and an icy touch from the three point line, coupled with a determined and disciplined Aussie group who methodically worked to get open shots and easy opportunities. The Aussies overcame 25 turnovers but shot a stellar 56 percent from the floor and 35 percent from long distance. Samantha Simons led the charge for the Australians with 17 points shooting 7-of-8 from the field. Not to be outdone was Aussie guard Monique Conti who scored 14 points and shot 7-of-8 as well. Ezi Magbegor (11) and Jazmine Shelley (10) also scored in double figures for the winners.
Leading the charge for the Americans was Brittany Crain and Talia Walton each with 14 points. Walton, though, shot only 2-of-10 on three-pointers. She did lead the team with six rebounds. Wyoming grad Marquelle Dent was second on the team in scoring with eight points. Jamie Patrick (Colorado State) played her first game back from an injury and had six points and three rebounds. Jazmine Perkins was active with five points, five rebounds and a team high five steals. The USA All-Stars were not able to get the ball inside to their posts as Kaylon Williams, Stephanie Lee and Shelby Cheslek combined to take only five shots in over 52 minutes of play.
The USA All-Stars will try to bounce back tomorrow as they face off against the Lithuania team at 3:30pm local time.
NetScouts Basketball USA All-Stars
Marquelle Dent (Wyoming) 8 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound, 3 steals
Danielle Rodriguez (Utah) 4 points, 2 assists, 1 rebound
Lexi Petersen (Oregon) 4 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 block
Brittany Crain (UC Riverside) 14 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
Jaime Patrick (Colorado State) 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist
Jazmine Perkins (Washington State/Finland) 5 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals
Stephanie Lee (Northern Colorado/Germany) 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist
Talia Walton (Washington) 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals
Kaylon Williams (Oklahoma) 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assiss, 1 steal
Shelby Cheslek (Gonzaga) 6 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block
Thanks to Ryan Johnson and David Huss for their reports from China.
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