Charles inspires Olympic champs over France ahead of Rio

NEWARK (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - Wearing a face mask wasn’t an issue for Tina Charles to lead the U.S to an 84-52 win over France on Wednesday in Newark, Delaware.

Charles, who has been playing with a face mask to protect a broken nose, finished with game-highs 17 points and 5 rebounds, Maya Moore added 13, while Marine Johannes led the French with 13 points.

The 27-year-old Charles will become a two-time Olympian in Rio.

"She draws so much attention, and when she’s dialled in like that it just makes it better." Taurasi

Despite leading by just a point (32-31) at half-time, the Olympics champions stepped up in the second half to improve their winning streak over France to 3-0 since the London Olympics.

Eventually, the French acknowledge the U.S dominance.

Point guard Diana Taurasi, who is set to become a four-time Olympian next month, added 10 points, but it was Charles’ performance that caught her attention.

“Before the game, I told her, ‘You need to be Tina Charles’,” Taurasi said.

“And when she plays like that in the post, we’re gonna be a difficult team to beat, because she’s just so dynamic down there. She draws so much attention, and when she’s dialled in like that it just makes it better. So, we know she can do that for us and she’s gonna continue to be great.”

Tina Charles moving and grooving on @NBATV! The Queens, NY native is now 6-of-9 from the field with 15 Pts! #USABWNT https://t.co/odRDVdjgXZ

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 28, 2016

U.S head coach Geno Auriemma, who has seen Charles’ game evolving over the years since their time together at the University of Connecticut, explained why the 1,93m could be a key piece when they take to the floor in Rio.

“Little by little, she’s better at scoring on the move. She’s really good at using her body around the basket. When she came to UConn her freshman year, she really didn’t have that 15 footer, now it’s like automatic for her. So she’s done what a professional is expected to do, and that’s why she is where she is,” he pointed out.

Poetry in motion as Tina Charles lays it in on @NBATV! #USABWNT #RapidReplay https://t.co/pMp04rjy1T

— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 28, 2016

While France entered the game undefeated in five preparation games - they beat Brazil three times and edged out Turkey in a two-game series -, this was was the U.S first international warm-up game before next month’s Rio Olympics.

On Friday, Auriemma’s team will resume its preparations taking on Canada in Bridgeport, Connecticut, before going up against Australia on Sunday at the Madison Square Garden in New York.

The U.S will begin the defense of their Olympic crown in Group B alongside, Senegal, Serbia, Spain, China, and Canada. 

FIBA