USA rallies in fourth quarter
BRIDGEPORT — Fortunately for Dawn Staley and Co., a few weeks still remain before the games start counting for real.
Saturday’s tune- up against Canada served as an important reminder for the U. S. Women’s National Team that there’s still significant work to be done leading up to the FIBA World Cup, which tips off later this month in Spain.
In their first exhibition game this month, the U. S. overcame a slow start to edge Canada 74- 68 at Webster Bank Arena.
“Coming out of the locker room at halftime, we knew that it couldn’t get any worse,” said Staley, the team’s head coach. “We just stayed the course. ... We found our rhythm a little bit and got control of the game.”
The U. S. trailed 40- 28 at halftime — an unsettling position to be in for a team that’s used to dominating on the world tour. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter — in which Canada was outscored 26- 12 — that the
U. S. really found its footing.
Kelsey Plum sank a 3pointer with 4: 11 left, giving the U. S. a 65- 62 lead, its first since the first quarter. It proved to be all the Americans would need to hold on in a game that was closer than many expected.
“Everyone’s used to seeing us blow teams out. Obviously, that didn’t happen tonight,” Staley said. “But I think it builds chemistry, it helps me as a coach to see whom I can call on. I know that we have an experienced group on the bench, so I didn’t fret the score. I was very sure that we would make a run and I was very sure that we would get back in the game.”
That run just so happened to come with one of the team’s two collegiate players, UConn senior Napheesa Collier, on the floor. The trio of Collier, A’ja Wilson and Plum sparked the team late, helping the U. S. build a lead that they would not relinquish.
Saturday also marked the return of former UConn guard Kia Nurse, who scored a game- high 22 points for Canada. Nurse, who recently wrapped up her rookie season in the WNBA with the N. Y. Liberty, called her return to the state “special.”
“I can’t seem to get away from it because I’m here every year,” Nurse joked.
Wilson, who was a part of Staley’s national championship team at South Carolina, led the U. S. with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Former UConn star Morgan Tuck added nine points and five rebounds.
“I think the biggest thing was just finding our rhythm,” Wilson said. “I think the first half, we were still just trying to feel each other out, still trying to get [ in a groove]. … We were subbing people in and out, and people were playing with different people that they might not normally play with during practice.
“That was tough, but I think when we came out in the second half and shots started falling, we picked it up on defense.”
The U. S. roster currently stands 15 players, 10 of whom played in the first quarter. It’s one that could change significantly following the WNBA Finals, when stars Breanna Stewart, Sue Bird and Elena Della Donne are eligible to join the team. Another former Husky, Diana Taurasi, is also likely to join the team soon.