Kizer, USA Advance to Medal Round
8/16/2011 8:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Aug. 16, 2011
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SHENZHEN, China - Maryland women's basketball senior Lynetta Kizer (Woodbridge, Va./Potomac High School) and Team USA advanced to the Medal Quarterfinals Tuesday with their win over Great Britain, 85-33, in the World University Games in Shenzhen, China. Kizer added five points and pulled down a rebound, as all 12 American players scored in the first half.
The well-rounded scoring was led by Skylar Diggins (Notre Dame/South Bend, Ind.) with 13 points, four assists and six steals. Elena Delle Donne (Delaware/Wilmington, Del.) and Chiney Ogwumike (Stanford/Cypress, Texas) added 10 points apiece.
Chiney Ogwumike netted all four of her foul shots to put the USA up 4-0 just 34 seconds into the game as the Americans never trailed in the contest. With the score 15-11, the Americans went on an 8-0 run over the final 1:28 to end the period ahead 23-11.
After scoring the first bucket of the second quarter to close the gap to 10 points, 23-13, Great Britain had no answer for the USA's defensive press. The tenacious defense sparked the American women's speedy transition offense, resulting in a 9-0 run that spanned just 1:20 of play and with 8:00 to go before half, the USA's lead was up to 32-13. The Brits continued to crack under the stress and managed just two more field goals in the remainder of the quarter as the U.S. continued its onslaught, outscoring its opponents 21-4 to take a commanding 53-17 halftime lead.
Continuing to put on the pressure, Team USA allowed just four field goals in the second half as it outscored Great Britain 14-7 in the third quarter and 18-9 in the final stanza to close out the night with the 85-33 win.
The U.S. (3-0), which struggled from the line in its first two contests (.618), knocked down 88.2 percent (15-17 FTs) of its tries from the charity stripe against Great Britain. Kizer was 3-for-4 from the line.
Team USA dominated on both ends of the court, outrebounding the British 55-38, scoring 22 points off of 32 turnovers and limiting the Brits to an icy cold 18.2 percent (12-66 FGs) shooting from the field, including an even more frigid 5.6 percent (1-18 FGs) from outside the arc. In contrast, the U.S., which scored 26 fast-break points, hit 46.6 percent (34-73 FGs) of its field goals and gave up just two points from its 22 turnovers.
The USA advances to the medal quarterfinal round, where it will face Finland (2-1) on Aug. 18 (8:30 a.m. EDT). Should the U.S. win, it will play the winner of the Australia (3-0) versus Canada (1-1) quarterfinals game in the Aug. 19 semifinals. The other side of the medal quarterfinal bracket features Taiwan (3-0) against Brazil (2-1), while Russia (2-0) will face Sweden (2-1). The finals will be held on Aug. 21.
For a full box score from the USA-Great Britain game, log on to http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/worlduniversity/11_wwug_game_03_box.html.
2011 USA Women's World University Games Schedule
| Date | Local Time/EDT | Event | Site |
| Aug. 18 | 8:30 p.m./8:30 a.m. | Finland | Shenzhen Luohu Gym |
| Aug. 19 | 6:00 p.m./6:00 a.m. | Australia/Canada | Universiade Main Gym |
| Aug. 21 | TBD/TBD | Finals | Universiade Main Gym |
