A’ja Wilson and the US placed on fairly a present on Monday in Sydney, breaking the World Cup scoring mark in a file rout of South Korea.
Brionna Jones scored 24 factors and Wilson added 20 to assist the US beat South Korea 145-69. Shakira Austin’s layup with 9 seconds left helped the Individuals break Brazil’s file of 143 factors set in 1990.
“I don’t assume I’ve ever been a part of a group that may rating the basketball like this,” Wilson mentioned. “That is loopy, we put up 145 factors. I believe whenever you take a look at us and simply figuring out how proficient we're, we simply got here collectively and we play collectively very, very nicely.”
The US have essentially the most proficient and deepest roster of any group within the World Cup with 12 WNBA stars on the roster. Nonetheless, the Individuals had by no means come near that form of offensive output throughout their storied World Cup historical past. Their earlier group file was 119 factors in opposition to Angola in 2014 and China in 2006. The scoring margin was additionally the largest in US historical past as nicely, surpassing the 75-point win over Angola in 2014.
The win was the twenty sixth in a row in World Cup play for the Individuals, who haven’t misplaced for the reason that 2006 semi-finals after they fell to Russia. The US additionally received 26 in a row from 1994 to 2006. The Soviet Union maintain the World Cup file with 56 straight wins from 1959-1986.
What began with Sue Fowl, Diana Taurasi and Sylvia Fowles has now been handed on to Breanna Stewart and Wilson. A legacy of excellence that doesn’t appear like it’s ending anytime quickly.
The US, who've been enjoying stellar protection, have been challenged by South Korea early. The groups traded baskets for the primary eight minutes and it was tied at 21 earlier than the Individuals took management, scoring the ultimate 11 factors of the interval. Kahleah Copper got here off the bench for the primary time within the event and scored six factors throughout that spurt. The Individuals saved the streak going to begin the second quarter, scoring 9 of the primary 11 factors to place the sport away.
By the point the sport reached the half the US have been up 68-40, together with scoring 44 factors within the paint in opposition to the undersized Koreans. “We have been making an attempt to get the ball inside,” Jones mentioned. “We had a bonus there.”
The one suspense within the second half was what number of data the Individuals may break. They took down their very own scoring mark on Sabrina Ionescu’s three-pointer with 6:15 left within the sport and saved placing up factors with Austin’s layup capping off the competition.
Different data damaged on Monday included the 62 area objectives made, 36 assists and 94 factors within the paint.
“Our measurement was an issue for them and I assumed we shared the ball,” US coach Cheryl Reeve mentioned.
The Individuals have been nicely rested for the sport after having their first break day of the event on Sunday.
Regardless of the rout, South Korea (1-3) can nonetheless advance to the quarter-finals with a win over Puerto Rico on Tuesday.
Leeseul Kang, who had 37 factors in a win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, scored 10 factors. Hyejin Park had 17 to steer the group.
Post a Comment