Wilson Powers U.S. to Victory Over China
TENERIFE, Spain – South Carolina women’s basketball alumna A’ja Wilson scored 20 points as the United States topped China 100-88 in Group D play in 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup action on Sunday. Hitting 7-of-8 from the field as well as all six of her free throws, Wilson helped the Dawn Staley-led Americans to their second win in group play.
Unlike Saturday’s opening game against Senegal, the U.S. did not use one explosive quarter to establish their lead. On Sunday, the Americans steadily built their victory by winning three of the four quarters by a three-to-five points each.
While China got on the scoreboard first, the U.S. wasted little time building a five-point lead in the opening quarter behind a solid defensive effort. After China closed within 13-10 midway through the period, a Breanna Stewart layup started an 8-2run that included a block, a jumper and a defensive rebound from Wilson to give the American a 21-12 advantage with 2:39 remaining in the quarter. China answered to again pull within three points, 21-18, but Wilson closed the period with a pair of free throws and a putback to make it a 25-20 U.S. advantage through the opening 10 minutes of play.
Early in the second period, Wilson defended her own turnover with a blocked shot to protect a 27-24 lead with 8:00 to go in the half. The defensive stand launched a 6-0 run that gave the U.S. a 33-27 lead midway through the quarter. Again, China fought back, turning a steal into a layup to pull within one at 36-35 with 3:10 to play until halftime. After a Diana Taurasi 3-pointer, Staley put Wilson back in the game, and her Gamecock charge delivered with a quick layup to make it 41-35 with 2:13 on the clock. A Taurasi steal yielded 45-37 lead on a layup from Layshia Clarendon, and Wilson was fouled after stealing an errant pass, converting the two free throws for the first double-digit lead of the game, 47-37.
Taking a 48-39 lead into halftime, the Americans could not shake China in the third quarter. Allowing 63.2 (12-of-19) percent field goal shooting in the period, the U.S. poured in enough offense to match China’s 29 points in the quarter to maintain the nine-point advantage. The U.S. won the fourth quarter by three points to finish with the 12-point victory, 100-88, as the only two-win team in Group D.
Wilson’s 87.5 percent field goal shooting led the efficient U.S. offense, while her 20 points were second only to Stewart’s 23. The two matched veteran Tina Charles for the rebounding lead with six each as the Americans won that battle 38-30. Wilson added three blocks, three steals and an assist to her stat line in just her second FIBA World Cup contest.
The U.S. team has one more game in group play, facing Latvia at 1 p.m. EDT on Tue., Sept. 25. The game will be televised on ESPN+.
