BASKETBALL: U.S. women crush Latvia, move to World Cup quarterfinals

the no. 1-ranked United States women’s national team finished the group phase of the 2018 FIBA World Cup as one of three undefeated teams and moves into the quarterfinals as the favorite after winning its 19th straight World Cup game, 102-76 over Latvia.

The group phase is now complete:

∙ Group A: 1. Canada (3-0), 2. France (2-1), 3. Greece (1-2); 4. Korea (0-3)
∙ Group B: 1. Australia (3-0), 2. Nigeria (2-1), 3. Turkey (1-2), 4. Argentina (0-3)
∙ Group C: 1. Belgium (2-1), 2. Spain (2-1), 3. Japan (2-1), 4. Puerto Rico (0-3)
∙ Group D: 1. United States (3-0), 2. China (2-1), 3. Senegal (1-2), 4. Latvia (0-3)

The playoffs start on the 26th, with the nos. 2-3 teams in each group in play-in games to the quarterfinals:

∙ Upper bracket:
Spain vs. Senegal to play Canada
China vs. Japan to play Australia

∙ Lower bracket:
France vs. Turkey to play Belgium
Nigeria vs. Greece to play United States

The quarterfinals will be held on the 28th, semis in the 29th and the finals in 30 September.

The games are being played in the Canary Islands of Spain, in the 5,100-seat Tenerife Sports Pavilion Santiago Martin in San Cristobal de La Laguna and the 3,600-seat Palacio Municipal de Deportes in Santa Cruz de Tenerife..

The Latvia game was a challenge for a half. The U.S. got off to a 28-19 first-quarter lead, but was ahead on 52-42 at half. The third quarter made the difference, with the U.S. piling up a 26-8 advantage for a 78-50 lead by scoring the last 17 points of the quarter!

The U.S. got very balanced scoring from centers Tina Charles and Brittney Griner (back from an ankle injury), with 18 and 15 points, respectively, plus 16 from wing Diana Taurasi, 12 each from forwards A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, 11 from guard Jewell Loyd and 10 from forward Nneka Ogwumike.

The U.S. shot only 46.7% from the field – only 7-18 from three-point range – but held the Latvians to just 34.1% shooting for the game. Wilson and Stewart led the U.S. with eight rebounds each. American coach Dawn Staley rested stars Sue Bird and Elena Delle Donne.

“I thought our third quarter was by far the best quarter in which we exhibited a team that we want to become on the defensive side of the ball,” said Staley. “Hopefully that’s a prelude to what we will be in the quarterfinals.”

Since the competition began back in 1953, the U.S. women have won nine times, including the first two editions in ‘53 and ‘57, then again in 1979-86-90-98-2002-10-14. Its last loss was in a semifinal to Russia in the 2006 tournament.

Only four nations have ever won this tournament: the U.S. has nine golds, followed by the Soviet Union (6) and Brazil (1: 1994) and Australia (1: 2006). The U.S. has won six of the last eight.

The schedule of matches and scores are here.