Staley Guides U.S. to FIBA World Cup Quarterfinals
TENERIFE, Spain – South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley led her U.S. National Team to a 102-76 victory over Latvia in the final game of group play in the 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup on Tuesday. The Americans, who got 12 points and eight rebounds from Gamecock alumna A’ja Wilson against Latvia, moved into Friday’s quarterfinals with the victory.
Against Latvia, the U.S. used a solid first quarter to establish a 28-19 advantage that included Diana Taurasi scoring eight of the team’s last 11 points in the period. A tight second quarter yielded just a 10-point halftime lead for the U.S., 52-42.
The third quarter effort by the Americans left no doubt about the game’s outcome, though. Midway through the half, Latvia hit a 3-pointer to pull within 11 at 61-50, but the U.S. did not allow another point in the period. The 17-0 run over five minutes began with a pair of free throws from Brittney Griner, who netted seven of her 15 points during that stretch. Wilson also added seven points to the 17-0 surge that put the American up 78-50 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Latvia poured in six 3-pointers but could not stop the U.S. offense enough to overcome the deficit.
With two games still on court in group play, Wilson ranks 11th in the tournament in scoring, averaging 15.7 points in her 19.7 minutes per game. That scoring output ranks second on the U.S. team behind Breanna Stewart’s 25.6 points per game.
The U.S. will play in the quarterfinals on Friday, but will not know its opponent until quarterfinal qualifying ends on Wednesday afternoon.
