Oregon Women Basketball: Ducks lead Team USA to 3×3 FIBA World Cup quarterfinals
The Oregon Ducks are representing USA Basketball in the Women’s 3×3 World Cup competition in Manila, Philippines.
junior guard Sarina Ionescu scored 11 points to help USA Basketball remain undefeated in the women’s 3×3 World Cup basketball tournament on June 11. USA defeated reigning champion Russia 21-13 in the final game of preliminary play. With the win, the USA (4-0) captured the top seed from Group C.
“We’re going to have three games just like this one against Russia and in order for us to win each game we have to come out and play like we did in this last game and if we do that I don’t think there will be problem. But we’re just going to have to take it one game at a time and continue to get better each game,” said Ionesscu about the USA advancing to the medal round.
Team USA on got off to a good start as they got contributions from everyone against Russia. After the Russians opened the game’s scoring, the USA quickly responded by scoring six straight points. As Oregon junior Ruthy Hebard scored a bucket and Ionescu knocked down a two-pointer. Then Erin Boley tallied a point and Oti Gildon contributed two to give USA a 6-3 lead.
Russia came firing back, taking a 7-6 advantage. But Ionescu scored off a offensive rebound to knot the game at 7 with 5:33 left. Following a Gildon basket, Ionescu rolled off straight points to give Team USA a 13-7 lead.
Russia got as close as 17-11. However, Ionescu answered with a three-point play to push the US lead to 20-11. Gilden finished off USA’s scoring with an inside bucket with 1:55 remaining.
The top-2 teams from each of the four groups advance to the quarterfinals. Each game can be seen on ESPN3 and ESPN+.