Women’s Basketball China Tour: USA Defense Stymies China, Aussies Win Close One

Carl Berman

2 May 2012

Blog

2 comments

In the first game of the night, Australia held on to beat New Zealand 69-60. After building a solid lead against the Kiwi’s late in the second half, they had to make a big 3-point shot by Vanessa Panousis to solidify their lead and close out the win. (We’re trying to get the box score and will update this post with more details when we get it!)

China faces off with the Kiwi’s again in tomorrow’s nightcap while Australia plays the United States.

The USA played great team defense, mixing man, zone, and full-court pressure to confuse and fluster China and get a 66-43 win.

The American offensive attack was once again balanced inside and out and they improved their FG shooting to 46% versus the 29% they shot the first time these two teams played.  Nicky Day led the way with 16 points and 5 rebounds.

China couldn’t find an answer to USA’s half-court defense and only shot 33% and 2 of 16 from the 3-pt. stripe.  Where the Americans really asserted themselves was on the glass out-rebounding the Chinese 37-18. The Americans will play their last game in Zhongxian against Australia.

Bek and Jaz with Chinese Military

Comments from Head Coach NetScouts Basketball’s Chris Denker:

I’m really pleased with our players & they get all the credit tonight.  They really came to play tonight both mentally and physically and established a tempo with our defense and we used our depth to wear down China.  We made some big defensive adjustments this morning and they really grasped them well, I’m really proud of their accomplishment, beating China in China is not easy!

We got off to a another great start tonight and once again our bench group came in and widened our early lead.  Rebekah Gardner (UCLA) was really good again and got 5 O-Boards in the first half which just shows the energy level our whole team played with.  Jasmin Holliday (Oregon) got some early boards and defensive plays and Kali Bennett blocked a shot of a sure layup…again, just little plays that everyone was making.

Jalana Childs (Kansas State) & Rachael Hackbarth (Drake) are really giving us a low post presence and we get a totally different look from Nick (Nicky Day, Portland) who is a good shooter, driver, and offensive rebounder.  She also gets a lot done on the point of the press.

I can’t say enough about our guards, all of them played hard and shared the ball.  Katie Bussey (Montana State) played one of her best games and only shot once, she just ran our team and had 4 assists and really defended Li Wei (China’s PG) very well.  ReZina TecleMariam had another active game on defense and the boards, her hustle plays are great, while Casey Garrison (Missouri St.) and Talisa Rhea (Seattle U.) are like having another PG on the floor.  Casey was more aggressive offensively and that helped, she shot it well tonight too.

Stats:

Katie Bussey (Montana State) 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 4 assists

Casey Garrison (Missouri State) 8 points, 2 steals

Rebekah Gardner (UCLA) 10 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals

Jasmin Holliday (Oregon) 9 points, 2 rebounds

Nicky Day (Portland) 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals

Rachael Hackbarth (Drake)  4 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block

Talisa Rhea (Oregon State/Seattle) 2 points, 2 assists

ReZina TecleMariam (Portland) 2 points,  5 rebounds

Kali Bennett (Arizona State) 7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks, 3 assists

Jalana Childs (Kansas State) 8 points, 1 rebound, 1 block

Random Thoughts:

Happy Birthday Katie!

-Today (as you read this) is Katie Bussey’s birthday!  Happy Birthday Katie! 

-The internet connection here has been horrible so don’t be sad if you haven’t heard from your daughter, they’ve probably tried to reach you.

Cheers!

Chris Denker, USBA All-Stars Coach