USA Women's 3x3 Basketball Drops to 0-2 After Loss to Azerbaijan
Outline:
- Introduction to the USA women's 3x3 basketball team's second consecutive loss.
- Details of the game against Azerbaijan.
- Performance highlights of key players from both teams.
- Current standings and implications for Team USA.
- Upcoming schedule and tournament outlook.
Article:
The USA women's 3x3 basketball team faced a challenging setback on Wednesday, suffering their second consecutive loss in the tournament, this time to Azerbaijan, with a final score of 20-17. This follows their initial defeat to Germany on Tuesday, where they were narrowly edged out 17-13.
In the match against Azerbaijan, Dearica Hamby emerged as a standout player for the U.S., contributing significantly with 7 points and 5 rebounds. Cierra Burdick and Hailey Van Lith also made valuable contributions, with Burdick scoring 4 points and grabbing 4 rebounds, and Van Lith adding 5 points and 1 rebound.
Azerbaijan's Tiffany Hayes, known for her prowess in the WNBA with the Las Vegas Aces, was the star of the game. Hayes not only led her team to victory but also topped the scoring charts with 11 points and secured 7 rebounds. Her performance was particularly crucial, especially considering her winning layup that sealed the deal for Azerbaijan.
With these two losses, Team USA finds itself in eighth place in the current 3x3 standings. The top spots are currently occupied by Canada, Spain, and Australia, each posing a significant challenge for the struggling American squad.
Looking ahead, Team USA has a packed schedule on Thursday, with matches against formidable opponents Australia at 7 a.m. ET and Spain at 3:30 p.m. ET. The pool play will conclude on Saturday, setting the stage for the tournament's climax on Monday, which will include the semifinals, bronze medal, and gold medal games.
As Team USA navigates through this critical phase of the tournament, their performance in the upcoming games will be crucial in determining their trajectory and potential for a podium finish.