Harris and U.S. Take Silver at FIBA U19 World Cup
July 30, 2017
UDINE, Italy ââ’¬” South Carolina guard Tyasha Harris and the United States dropped a tough 86-82 decision to Russia in the gold game of the FIBA U19 World Cup in Udine, Italy, Sunday afternoon. The Americans had a 42-36 lead at halftime, but the Russians fought back with a dominant third quarter, and the U.S. fourth-quarter rally came up just short. Harris posted nine points on 4-of-8 shooting, nine assists and three steals.
The Americans took an early lead in the game with Harris’ steal and resulting layup putting the U.S. up 6-2. The Gamecocks’ rising sophomore followed with an assist on a 3-pointer for a 9-2 edge just 2:27 into the game. Harris set up Crystal Dangerfield for another 3-pointer for a 16-8 margin midway through the period.
Russia took its first lead of the game with 6:53 to go in the second quarter and stretched that advantage to four points, 28-24 with 5:46 to go in the half. Harris set up Ruthy Hebard for a layup to cut the U.S. deficit in half and the game was tied 30 seconds later. The score would be even two other times before the Americans pulled ahead in the final minute to take a 42-36 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The U.S. struggled to find the basket in the third quarter, shooting just 6-of-18 in the decisive period. Russia netted the first five points to draw within 42-41 before Harris ended the surge with a jumper just above the free throw line. The shot sparked an 8-2 run, to which Harris also added a steal and an assist, to put the Americans up 50-43 with 6:34 to play in the period. Russia’s Maria Vadeeva scored the next four points to keep the game tight. Harris again ended the surge, this time with a 3-pointer from the right side that put the U.S. up six, 53-67, with 5:11 left in the third. Madeeva and Raisa Musina combined for the next five point to put Russia back on top 54-53, though, and the quarter saw four ties before Vadeeva’s free throws put her team on top 62-60 just before the final break.
The U.S. scored the first five points of the fourth quarter for a 65-62 lead just over a minute into the period, but the game stayed tight throughout. Vadeeva’s layup with 7:18 to play made it a five-point Russia lead, 70-65, but it was a one-possession game until the final minute as the teams traded baskets. The Americans closed within a point at 77-78 with 1:16 to go, but a quick layup that Musina turned into a three-point play at the free throw line made it a 81-77 Russia lead with 1:03 to play. The U.S. sent Russia to the free throw line to slow down the contest, but the Russians made just enough to stay in front.
The silver medal is Harris’ second medal with USA Basketball after she helped the U.S. to gold in the 2016 FIBA Americas Championship.
