USA Women Defeat Brazil, 73-60, in Pre-Worlds Tournament
9/6/2002 12:26:02 PM | Women's Basketball
NEW CASTLE, Austrailia - The 2002 USA Women's World Championship Team played its first game at the Opals World Challenge, defeating Brazil, 73-60. Syracuse head coach Marianna Freeman is an assistant coach with the USA squad.
Sheryl Swoopes led the team with 18 points. Tamika Catchings added 13 points in the victory.
"I thought it was good for us to get that first game under our belt and get a win," Swoopes said. "Brazil's a very good team, and obviously we saw lots of things we need to improve on. At the same time I think we did some good things considering we didn't have much time to get ready for the game. Overall, I think we're just happy we got a win.
The USA team trained in in Southern California for six days with only eight players while waiting for the rest of the roster to complete their WNBA playoff series. The full squad practiced only once for an hour and a half on September 5 before facing Brazil.
Team USA trailed 31-27 with 5:41 left in the first half, but finished the second quarter on a 14-4 run to take a 41-35 lead at intermission. The U.S. led by as many as 16 in the fourth quarter.
The team is using the Opals World Challenge as a tune-up for the FIBA Wold Championship which will be held in China on September 14-25. The U.S. will play Australia on September 7 and France on September 9. The champoinship and consolation games will be held September 10.
For more information about the 2002 USA Women's World Championship Team visit www.usabasketball.com.
