The USA's Young Women's squad at the World Championships suffered their
first loss. They first blasted South Korea as Alana Beard had 9 points, 4 assists, 3 turnovers, 2 steals
and a block.
The US surprisingly lost to a Brazil, a team they had beaten twice in friendlies. The
Brazilians focused on pounding on the US inside and limited Beard to 8 points (on 3-7 shooting), 2 rebounds, 5
turnovers and 5 steals. The good news is that there is now a four-way tie
for first place in the USA's group with France, Croatia and Brazil. The
US next plays the Czech Republic but cannot afford another loss.
Meanwhile, Australia's Sapphires are 2-1 in their bracket, losing only
to undefeated Latvia. Jess Foley played 6 minutes in that latter game,
hitting her only basket and getting a steal. She sat out the victory over
China but did play 11 minutes in a romp over Argentina, hitting a 3,
getting a couple of steals and committing 3 turnovers. The Aussies still
have to play a very good Russian team and a very bad Tunisian squad, so
their chances look good for getting to the next round.