USA Gets Past Brazil to go to 5-2 on China Tour

Carl Berman

11 May 2013

Blog

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The NetScouts Basketball USA All-Stars had a hard fought come from behind 58-50 victory over Brazil as the Brazilians put forth a valiant effort without two injured post players. This was the first of three games to be played in Dong Xiang.

Adrian Ritchie

After a three-point shot in the opening minute of the game by Adrian Ritchie, the USA never scored again from the floor (only two free throws) and shot 1-of-13 for the quarter.  After trailing 13-5 at the end of the first period, the Americans managed to close to within one at half (23-22) however they were still only shooting 16% from the field.

Thanks to a hustling defense and good effort on the boards the USA squad was able to stay close enough that when their offense picked up they had a chance to win the game.  Brazil didn’t go away easily though, they also played hard defensively and were able to drive to the basket to create scoring opportunities throughout most of the match.  Most of those coming from Vanessa who scored a game high 15 points and Ramona who chipped in with 11.

Sam Ostarello

In the second half, the American team started attacking off the dribble more and found their way into the lane which caused the Brazilian defenders to foul, The USA then capitalized by scoring 21 points from the line.  Jamie Russell was a key contributor to the aggressive style of offense and Sam Ostarello, who led the team with 12 points, scored on offensive rebounds and driving moves of her own.

For the game, Brazil held the American side to 26% shooting (14-of-53) on two-pointers and only 16% from long distance (3-of-18).  The Americans ability to limit turnovers, gain extra possessions on the offensive glass and play hard on defense were huge keys to pulling out the win.  Ultimately, they won it at the foul line by hitting several key free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Afternoon USA/Brazil Attendance:  3850

China vs. Australia played before a sellout, standing room only, crowd after a long opening ceremony featuring 4 speeches, the introduction of former China Basketball officials, and on floor acts from a drum corps, a dragon show, a singer, the parade of teams, cheerleaders, dancers, and acrobats.

Final Stats for this game will come tomorrow when stats are finalized as they were not available at the time of this post. We’ll alsp add more photos later on.

Statistics

USA (52)

Jaime Russell

Meghan Fulps  (#4)  5’7  PG (Santa Clara)  0 points

Adrian Ritchie  (#5) 5’11  G (Green Bay)  7 points

Jamie Russell   (#6) 5’8  G (Illinois State)  9 points

Jacqui Kalin   (#7) 5’8  PG (Northern Iowa)  4 points

Kate Thompson  (#9) 6’4  F (Michigan)  6 points

Sam Ostarello  (#11) 6’2  F (Purdue)  12 points

Lauren Oosdyke  (#12) 5’11  F (Northern Colorado)  3 points

Samantha Heck   (#14) 6’2  F/C  (Evansville)  7 points

Stephanie Sension  (#15) 6’3  F/C (Green Bay)  2 points

Morgan Johnson   (#16) 6’5  C (Iowa)   8 points

Brazil (50)

4 Izabella Sangalli – 7 points

5 Alana DaSilva – 0 points

6 Carla Patricia –  2 points

7 Vanessa Goncalves – 15 points

8 Carolina Ribeiro – 5 points

9 Monique Perei – 4 points

10 Bruna Nathiely – 0 points

11 Maria De Oliveira  – DNP (Injured)

12 Maria Claudia – 2 points

13 Isabela Ramona – 11 points

14 Lorraine Silva – 4 points

15 Leticia Viviane – DNP (Injured)