Chenzhou, China – The NetScouts Basketball Women’s USA All-Stars (3-1) dominated Poland (0-4) tonight 68-43 in the first game action in Chenzhou in Hunan Province. The USA received some much needed reinforcements to their short-handed lineup. Keani Albanez (Gonzaga) arrived in China and Joy Burke (Arizona State) was able to play a solid ten minutes coming off a knee injury. The added depth helped the squad and the USA’s defense was able to clamp down in the dominating 25-point win.
Cierra Warren
The first quarter saw Poland take a 15-12 lead as the USA worked their new additions into the lineup. As was to be expected the early going was a little rough, as the squad struggled to hit shots, shooting just 20 percent in the period.
After that point the USA dominated with great inside presence from Cierra Warren (22 points, 7 rebounds) and Stephanie Lee (12 points, 6 rebounds). The Americans outscored Poland 56-28 over the final three frames.
Poland could only muster 19 second half points being forced into 25 turnovers for the game. Ariel Thomas led the defensive charge with four steals while Albanez, Deanna Weaver, Alexyz Vaioletama, and Warren all pitched in three of their own. The USA All-Stars finished with a tournament high 18 steals for the game.
On the heels of a great defensive performance, the Americans shared the ball well tallying 18 assists with Thomas, Albanez and Lee dishing out four dimes apiece.
Everyone on the USA roster scored with Vaioletama adding 8 points, Albanez (7), Keena Mays and Deanna Weaver (both with 6), Thomas (5) and Joy Burke (2).
Stephanie Lee
The USA team out-rebounded Poland 43-33 as Weaver ripped down 13 of her own with an impressive eight coming on the offensive glass.
Agata Maria lead Poland with 11 points and was their only player to finish in double figures.
The Americans will take a short siteseeing tour to the Suxian Temple before facing off against Denmark in tomorrow night’s game.
Tonight, the Danes struggled handling the bigger and stronger Chinese (4-0) team falling 80-55. With the loss they moved to 1-3 on the tour.
Thanks to Coaches Ryan Johnson and Drew Muscatel for their reports from China. You can subscribe to our RSS feed from the upper right corner of our home page, follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
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