Future Buckeye posts third double-double in tournament with 15 points and 10 rebounds
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (USA Basketball) – The USA U19 Women featured five players in double figures in an easy 99-57 win over Sweden to capture a perfect 9-0 record and the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship title Sunday in Bratislava, Slovakia.
"You want every team you coach to peak at the right time, and I think we did that," said USA U19 and DePaul University (Ill.) head coach Doug Bruno. "We really put everything together at medal time. I think for sure that was their best 40 minutes of basketball since we’ve been together."
In today’s earlier action, Serbia (8-1) held off a late run from Spain (5-4) to earn a 52-50 victory and the bronze medal.
The gold medal was never in question after the USA jumped out to a 21-5 lead just five minutes into the first quarter, including seven points from Monica Wright (Virginia / Woodbridge, Va.) and six from Maya Moore (Collins Hill H.S. / Lawrenceville, Ga.) , who both when on to finish with 19 points to lead all scorers.
"I was extremely proud, and energized and excited when we came out so strong," Moore said. "It was just fun to come out so well and get the early lead. To win the way we did tonight was just a real statement for our age group worldwide."
The USA’s 33-16 first-quarter lead stretched to 55-33 at halftime, remained at 22 points, 72-50, after three quarters and the USA outscored Sweden 27-7 in the fourth period to bring the final score to 99-57.
"We weren't going to let it be close," said Jasmine Thomas. "We went out and played our game the way we knew we could play. We put it to them early and then kept pounding all 40 minutes."
Moore also contributed 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals; Jantel Lavender (Cleveland Central Catholic H.S. / Cleveland, Ohio) added 15 points and 10 rebounds; Jasmine Thomas (Oakton H.S. / Fairfax, Va.) scored 13 points and grabbed four rebounds; Angie Bjorklund (University H.S. / Spokane, Wash.) tallied 11 points, including 3-of-4 shooting from 3-point; and Vicki Baugh (Sacramento H.S. / Sacramento, Calif.) contributed nine rebounds and three blocked shots.
"I'm very honored to have coached this team, and I'm honored to have represented USA Basketball," Bruno said. "The players were just a treat to be around. They were just great people. We worked them hard. They were a fun loving bunch, and they worked hard."
Lavender Postgame Quotes
On the game tonight
"We played just an amazing game tonight. We were so pumped from the beginning. We had worked so hard to get here. We came out on fire, got a quick lead, and then just had to maintain it."
On winning gold
"It feels amazing. I'm just so proud to have the gold medal around my neck."
On her game
"I think I've grown as an international basketball player because I've learned about international play. I just think I've grown a lot over this past month."
On her experience
"Hard work. That's a good two words to sum up this experience. We've been putting in the time, putting in the effort, and we saw how it paid off in the end."
