USA feeling ready to defend Olympic crown following win over Australia
NEW YORK (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - The USA couldn't have closed their warm-up games series any better than a 104-89 win against Australia - the number two in the world - on Sunday at the majestic
NEW YORK (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - The USA couldn't have closed their warm-up games series any better than a 104-89 win against Australia - the number two in the world - on Sunday at the majestic Madison Square Garden in New York.
Both teams are expected to meet up in the Finals at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics tipping off on Saturday 6 August.
I feel we’re capable of winning the sixth with the depth that we have on this team, the talent that we have on this team, the coaching staff alone, just them forcing us to be in tune with the process of winning for us and what that’s going to take to get that gold medal." - Charles
Diana Taurasi fuelled the reigning Olympics champions offense with a team-high 20 points, and Elena Delle Donne complemented her with 19 points.
Liz Cambage and Leilani Mitchell - the two Australians to score in double figures - finished with 22 and 19 points respectively, but the U.S increased their overall winning streak against the Australians to 19-0.
By beating Rio-bound Australia, Canada, and France in the four-nation tournament by an average of 25.7 points, the Americans look ready to defend their Olympics title for the sixth time in a row.
#USABWNT wraps up exhibition 3-0! pic.twitter.com/neCRoUgNPk
— WNBA (@WNBA) August 1, 2016
Taurasi expressed the Americans relief moving on to Rio: “There’s some competitiveness there that both countries feel, and it’s good because it makes you play better. I think we learned a lot about ourselves. And this team is still growing. We’ll take some confidence out of this. We’ll take some good things and some bad things,” said the three-time Olympian.
Tina Charles, who finished with 5 rebounds added: “I feel we’re capable of winning the sixth with the depth that we have on this team, the talent that we have on this team, the coaching staff alone, just them forcing us to be in tune with the process of winning for us and what that’s going to take to get that gold medal. That’s what I believe we can do.”
The U.S will open their Rio Olympics campaign taking on African champions Senegal on 7 August.
FIBA