Pool Play Part 3: Mixed Results For Team USA 3x3 Basketball
August 1 brought a jam-packed schedule for both United States 3x3 squads, as each team played two games. The women’s 3x3 team took on Australia and Spain, and the men’s 3x3 team took on Lithuania and Latvia.
Coming into play, the Americans had yet to win a game on the women’s or men’s side. Luckily for the women’s team, it picked up a victory against Spain in its second game of the day. The men’s squad, unfortunately, remains winless with three days of pool play now under its belt.
Here is how each game went for Team USA on an eventful day:
Women’s 3x3 vs. Australia
Rhyne Howard struggled shooting in Team USA’s first two games against Germany and Azerbaijan. Against Australia, though, she was able to find her stroke and contribute more to her team’s efforts on the scoreboard.
Howard hit her first two-pointers and made three of her first four from distance, setting the pace for the United States in the early going. Australia was hitting from 2-point range early, too, leaving gameplay competitive from the get-go. Unfortunately, team USA fell short, losing to Australia 17-15 in a close third pool play game.
Despite the loss, however, what proved to be a good sign for Team USA in its second game was that Howard continued to find her shot. Howard was Team USA’s leading scorer against Australia, finishing with eight points after going 4-for-6 from distance. Dearica Hamby chipped in four points and six rebounds in the contest.
Women’s 3x3 vs. Spain
In game two, with Team USA men’s basketball star LeBron James sitting courtside, Howard continued her strong shooting. Overall, the United States shots fell more frequently in game two against Spain.
Spain hit the first basket to take a 1-0 lead, but Howard’s first two-pointer gave the United States a 6-2 advantage later on. Everyone on Team USA’s roster was on their game, which aided the Americans in ending their losing streak. Howard’s final field goal of the game, a long jumper with 22 seconds to go, gave Team USA a six-point lead and put a stamp on its eventual 17-11 victory.
Howard and Hailey Van Lith each scored five points, Cierra Burdick scored four, and Hamby scored three.
With a 1-3 record and three games remaining in pool play, the women’s squad still has time to rise in the standings before the quarterfinal round approaches. Its first opportunity to do so will be against France at 7:00 a.m. EST on August 2. Team USA will also play Canada at noon EST on August 2.
Men’s 3x3 vs. Lithuania
With Jimmer Fredette out due to an injury, Team USA’s other players stepped up against Lithuania in his absence. Unfortunately for the United States, those efforts were ultimately not enough.
Team USA began the game on top, taking an early lead with a basket from Canyon Barry. From there, though, it was back-and-forth with Lithuania, with their squad creeping up on the Americans’ lead throughout play.
Another Barry bucket had the United States ahead 15-14, but it was at that moment the tides turned and Team USA’s chances escaped from the outdoor court. Lithuania went on a 6-0 run to go ahead 20-15.
Dylan Travis hit a two-pointer to make it 20-17, and a free-throw from Barry made it 20-18, but time ran out, and Lithuania was on top.
Barry was Team USA’s leading scorer with nine points. Travis chipped in five points, and Kareem Maddox tallied four points. Maddox also had six rebounds, while Travis grabbed seven. The United States continued its subpar shooting against Lithuania, going 1-for-13 from 2-point range during the contest.
Men’s 3x3 vs. Latvia
Before play even began, a rain delay north of 30 minutes pushed back the men’s team’s second game. That, combined with Fredette not playing for a second-straight game, made it difficult for Team USA.
It didn’t appear difficult for Team USA in the beginning, however.
In a physical contest mostly instigated by Latvia, the United States led for most of the game. A 3-0 start eventually turned into an 11-5 advantage for Team USA.
Latvia ended up squandering Team USA’s momentum with a 7-0 run of their own, giving them a 12-11 lead with under five minutes to play.
The Americans again held a lead in the closing minutes, as they were ahead of Latvia 17-14. At that moment, it looked as if Team USA’s losing streak was about to go by the way-side after three tough losses to start pool play. Another run from Latvia, however, said otherwise.
Maddox had a chance to bring Team USA’s score to 20 with free throws but botched both. Shortly after, he redeemed himself with a score, but the United States ultimately let the game slip away. The United States did not score in the final two minutes and gave up six straight points. Latvia won the game 21-19.
On a positive note, Team USA shot better from 2-point range, going 7-for-16 from distance. Barry had four two-pointers in the game and ended with 10 points and three rebounds. Down the stretch, Travis hit three two-pointers in a row. He finished with six points and three rebounds. Maddox had two points and five rebounds.
With a 0-4 start to pool play, only time will tell how things will shake out for Team USA. The Americans have three pool play games remaining, with two coming on August 2. They will play France at 12:35 p.m. EST and China at 4:35 p.m. EST.
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