In Tuesday’s game against Germany, the USA Women’s National Team took 84-57 win. The WNBA All-Star game as well as this one, were the only two exhibition games that the USA team were able to play before the Olympics start.
“We’re excited to get to London and just like really focus on this team and what are ultimate goal is,” Breanna Stewart said in a press conference after WNBA all star game.
The star forwards A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart led the way to victory against Germany. This isn’t the pair’s first time playing together but it certainly has been some time since they were on the same team. When Wilson and Stewart share the court together, they simply can’t be denied. In Tuesday’s game they combined for 34 points out of the 84 total points and 20 rebounds.
The 2 time MVP dominated the game from inside to outside of paint showing her range. On the defensive side Wilson locked down defenders to gain many possessions through the game. Wilson ended the game with 19 points, 14 rebounds, 7/13 From the field, and 2 blocks within 25 minutes she played.
The Liberty’s Breanna Stewart stayed consistent throughout the game, Stewart made her presence known getting on the board early with a three. Stewart finished the game off with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.
Jewel Loyd scored several times for Team USA when the offense was quite stagnant. Loyd finished the game with 11 points, and 4-6 from the field. Dianna Taurasi’s early threes and leadership on the court helped Team USA stay on track. Alyssa Thomas transition effort and playmaking ability led to several assists and points.
Team USA’s ball movement was electric the entire game helping them find the open player. 27 of their 30 made field goals were assisted on by each other. Team USA kept the lead the entire game and controlled the flow.
Fans were concerned last Saturday, when Team USA fell short to the WNBA All-Star team. Questioning whether some of the other WNBA stars like Arike Ogunbowale, who had 34 points and was awarded the MVP trophy.
“We are not going to press the panic button right now,” said A’ja Wilson, who had 22 points and six rebounds. “We needed the test.”
However, Team USA has shown the world that they are coming for the gold and aren’t taking no for an answer. The talented team has several players they can go to if something isn’t working.
“The depth of talent that we have in the USA, there’s no one who has anything close to it,” Reeve said.“There are players on this team that are great players. Everybody knows that. There’s no suggestion whatsoever that there are players on (Team) WNBA that aren’t good enough to play on the national team … But only 12 could make it.”
The Olympics are officially set to start its opening ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday July 26th. Team USA will play its first real game in the tournament on July 29th. against Japan. They will be in Group C with Belgium, Germany and Japan.
Kierra Richardson is a Journalism student at Ohio State University desiring to work in sports media.
