Sound Defense Leads Team USA Past Spain, 103-63

Todd Barin

Web Editorial Associate

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The Women’s National Basketball team put on an impressive performance for their second straight game in Brazil as they overwhelmed a very talented Spain team on Monday morning.

It was another great overall team effort for the Americans on both ends of the court as they not only tallied 23 assists on 41 made field-goals, but caused the Spaniards to shoot only 35.4 percent from the field.

One advantage to having the best basketball players on the planet on one team is that there’s never just ONE star or player of the game. That has held true through Team USA’s first two matchups of the Big Games and will most likely continue to do so throughout the competition.

11 of the 12 players on the roster scored six points or more in Monday’s game and every one of them contributed nicely on both ends of the floor.

WNBA teammates Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner both had solid games once again and combined for 23 points, five boards, two assists, three steals and a block.

Lindsay Whalen provided the Americans with tremendous hustle off the bench and finished the contest with six points, three boards and two assists/steals.

Alba Torrens and Astou Ndour both had nice games for Spain, combining for 33 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.

Numbers Game:

11: Team USA was efficient with their ball movement all game while also causing havoc for the Spaniards, forcing Anna Cruz and company to turn the ball over this many more times than the U.S.

14: The Americans are a little spoiled having both Griner and Sylvia Fowles on their team as they are two of the top five centers in the world. With that being said, however, Team USA does a great job using their size to their advantage and out-rebounded Spain by this many in Monday’s matchup.

31.3: Unlike their game against Senegal on Sunday, the U.S did show a slight weakness in their game on Monday, only making this percent of their shots from deep. It will be interesting to see if Coach Auriemma and his staff, which includes Cheryl Reeve, will make adjustments to improve their shooting from deep before their game against Serbia on Wednesday afternoon.