United States sweeps Showcase as firepower too much for Australia

FIBA.com photo

The no. 2 team in the world played well. The no. 1 team in the world played better.

The United States' firepower was way too much as the reigning Olympic gold medalists swept its USA Basketball Showcase with a decisive 104-89 win over Australia on Sunday in front of over 13,000 fans at the Madison Square Garden.

Five players finished in double-digits for the United States in its final exhibition match in preparation for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics in Brazil. Diana Taurasi scored a team-high 20 points including 15 in the third quarter. Elena Delle Donne added 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting and five rebounds.

Australia opened the game trying to give the home squad a good challenge, scoring the first five points, and taking a 17-11 lead later on behind triples from Leilani Mitchell and Penny Taylor.

"Obviously, we played a great team. They’re as good as everybody thinks they are, and they got some terrific players and they are really, really hard to play against," head coach Geno Auriemma said.

"It was a real test for us that we really needed at this particular time."


But Delle Donne took charge after being inserted in the game, pouring in 11 points as the United States closed the first quarter on a 17-8 run to take a 28-25 edge.

A more mobile unit then broke the game wide-open for the United States in the second quarter, with Angel McCoughtry scoring eight in a 13-0 run which gave the home side a 41-25 lead.

But Australia's starters kept the Opals in the game, with Mitchell's five straight points to end the half pulling her team to within 54-48.

However, the United States once again started hot in the third quarter, going on a 9-2 run. Taurasi then hit basket after basket, as the team went on to score 35 in the third quarter alone to put the game out of hand.

"It's a good sign that we came out of the half playing strong, because it sets a tone for the rest of the game," Taurasi said.

"I think that's the one thing we really focused on in these four games: coming in and setting the tone."

Brittney Griner finished with 15 points, making all but one of her six field goal tries. She was also a game-high plus-19, making impact on both ends of the floor with her post presence and rim protection. Maya Moore had 13 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while McCoughtry finished with 12 points.

"You try to tell everybody that winning a gold medal isn’t easy, and you can see why. I thought our guys were great. Throughout the game, I thought we were great," Auriemma said.

"We just did a lot of good things today, and there are things we need to get better at, no question."

While satisfied, Auriemma did emphasize the need to get better defensively heading to Rio.

"We have to get way better defensively in a couple of areas, and we will. We have some things we need to work on, which we will, but we have a lot of pieces to work with, and I was just really happy with this group tonight," he said.

Center Liz Cambage topscored for Australia with 22 points and eight rebounds. Mitchell added 18 points while Taylor had nine. Both Mitchell and Taylor made two three-pointers, as Australia shot 10-for-24 overall from long range.

"I thought our post players did a pretty good job. As hard as they tried, there is just nothing you can do against someone like an (Elizabeth) Cambage. You just can’t," Auriemma said of Cambage.

"So, we worked really hard, and we tried to make it difficult on her. There is just no one like her that’s playing basketball right now."

Players of the United States also said that the Opals played physical and never backed down, which made it difficult for them to pull away.

"They're a really good team. I know the score is going to make it look like we dominated the game, but that wasn't the case at all. From the tip to the end we had to play really hard, had to play really smart to win that game. They’re a very good team, and I know they will only get better in the next two weeks," Sue Bird said.

"They’re a tough team physically. They never give up, no matter the league. They’re going to hit you. They’re going to make you work for everything on both ends of the floor, and so it’s a grind for 40 minutes," Griner added.

"That’s what kind of separates them from some of the other teams. Not that the other teams aren’t physical, but Australia is always really physical."

USA will open its 2016 Olympics campaign against Senegal on August 7.

(For the full boxscore, click here)

In the first game, Canada showed it could be a darkhorse contender in Rio after defeating France, 71-63.

Miah-Marie Langlois led the 2015 FIBA Americas champions with 13 points and four assists. Miranda Ayim had 11 points while five others scored at least six.

Sarah Michel led France with 16 points. Isabelle Yacoubou added 14 points and 10 boards.

(For the full boxscore, click here)

All quotes from the USA Basketball website

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