United States dominates Canada in 40-point win

FIBA.com photo

The United States picked up its most dominant win so far in its slate of exhibition games as the team impressively beat Canada, 83-43 on Friday at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Elena Delle Donne was a double-digit scorer for the third straight USA Basketball Showcase game, finishing with 12 points. Diana Taurasi topscored with 14 points including three from long distance, while Lindsay Whalen added 12 points.


The game started with a deliberate pace, but was just enough for the United States to shut down Canada on offense. Canada opened the tune-up shooting only 2-for-18 from the field.

"Well, we went in with the idea that we want to be a lot better, just better today than we were in the France game. I thought we were. I felt defensively we were," head coach Geno Auriemma said.

"We were about as good as we can be given the short amount of work that we’ve done. That kind of led to a bunch of other things."

The United States then started hitting jumpers, with Delle Donne's back to back baskets giving the home team a 13-4 edge. Whalen added four more as the United States ended the first quarter ahead, 19-6.

USA did not receive any challenge from the Canadians after that point, even outscoring the latter 21-5 in the third quarter.

USA shot 53.6 percent from the field compared to only 32.7 percent for Canada. USA also had 18 assists, 11 more than its North American neighbors.

The home side also had 12 steals, and forced Canada to commit 25 turnovers.

"I think it was good. Canada is very good. Don’t let the scoreboard fool you. They are very physical. They move a lot. They are going to win a lot of games in Rio," Angel McCoughtry said.

"We definitely matched their intensity. We got a little more physical with them, and stopped some of their cuts, but it’s hard to guard some of their cuts, but we got some stops."

Miah-Marie Langlois led the 2015 FIBA Americas champions with 11 points. Natalie Achonwa had seven points and three boards while forwards Tamara Tatham and Miranda Ayim each scored six points.

USA will round out its Showcase schedule against world no. 2 Australia on July 31 at the Madison Square Garden.

"When you have a group of players like this that are going to, for the most part, play hard, they’re going to compete every possession. That’s what is going to be needed. That’s what is going to be necessary to win a gold medal," Auriemma added.

"It’s going to take whatever the effort was today and then maybe some more, because Sunday’s game is going to be a little more difficult than tonight’s game. That’s good for us. The more difficult games we play before we get to Rio, the better."

(For the full boxscore, click here)

Quick takeaways:

 Delle Donne has shown she plays on a different plane in international competition

For the third straight game, Delle Donne finished in double-digits. In a setting where she does not have to have hold of the ball all the time, she moved well without the ball -- an underrated aspect of her game. Delle Donne again scored on a bunch of ways, like pulling up, cutting and getting passes, and posting up.

Catchings and McCoughtry are just the hustle players the squad needs

It's amazing to see Tamika Catchings, who turned 37 years old just last week, compete hard for every loose and 50-50 ball. Her energy just rubs off on every player. Angel McCoughtry was also all over the place defensively, helping the team cut off drives and deny passes in one-on-one situations. McCoughtry had eight points and seven rebounds, and was a plus-28. With many offensive options already on the squad, the two veterans are just providing the defensive bite.

"That’s why I’m on this team I feel like. We have scorers. People can score. We are all scorers on our teams. I want to be the person that is going to come off the bench and bring that defensive lift to get to the offense. We are going to need that will tougher games in Rio, so I’m glad that I can be a unique player, a defensive player. That’s what the team needs, and I’m glad that I can be one of the players that adds that," McCoughtry said.

Canada will need more inside presence in Rio

Canada did a great job of moving the ball well from one side to another but the team lacked attacking the paint against USA's tremendous defense. Canada will need more movement to get to the basket or have post touches to help get defensive attention as well.

In the first game, Australia defeated France, 76-67 to remain undefeated in the four-team showcase.

Erin Phillips fired 20 points including 4-for-6 from three-point area and dished out five assists. Liz Cambage tallied a double-double of 19 points on 50 percent shooting and 10 rebounds in just over 19 minutes of action.

Endy Miyem paced France with 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting. Celine Dumerc contributed 10 points and five assists while Helena Ciak added nine points and six boards.

France will face Canada for its last assignment on Sunday.

(For the full boxscore, click here)

All quotes from the USA Basketball website

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