The United States women’s basketball team secured its second victory in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, surpassing the host team, Puerto Rico, with a score of 91-48. However, the triumph was not without difficulties.
Clark, who scored eight points a day after achieving a double-double in her first game in eight months, acknowledged that the team did not play their best basketball. The performance of the American team contrasted with their performance on Wednesday against Senegal, where the offense was notable and the chemistry between the players seemed consolidated. The game against Puerto Rico presented a different challenge. The United States showed a less fluid game, lost rhythm, and committed 14 turnovers. Clark pointed out that Puerto Rico’s zone defense caused problems, slowing down the American team and limiting their transition game. In addition, he attributed a large part of the team’s errors to “self-inflicted” actions.The game was a bit rough.
Caitlin Clark
Coach Kara Lawson agreed that the team’s mistakes were partly self-inflicted and partly due to Puerto Rico’s merit, highlighting the importance of reaction and precision in defensive coverages. When your opponent increases in difficulty, they have more skill and power to exploit the things we are not doing well. Despite having some of the best basketball players in the world, the American team is still in the process of building its chemistry and defining its identity. The match against Senegal was the team’s first against another national team, highlighting the importance of these qualifying matches in preparation for the World Cup.We missed some of our defensive coverages, especially with how much we were, also, that really limits us in transition when we want to play fast. It’s difficult to push after a free throw is made.
Caitlin Clark
Lawson plans to continue experimenting with the initial lineup and rotations throughout the tournament. Against Puerto Rico, he presented an almost completely renewed starting five, including Paige Bueckers, Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, Monique Billings, and Kiki Iriafen. On Wednesday, Lawson praised Plum, Billings, and Iriafen for their impact off the bench. Bueckers led the scoring on Thursday with 16 points, while Plum added 12. Iriafen contributed 10 points and five rebounds. Angel Reese and Clark were two of the first players to come off the bench. Reese achieved a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds.This tournament is our only opportunity before the World Cup to have games. We can train, but not real games, real FIBA games in an environment… and it’s not just the repetitions and the games. It’s also having the opportunity to be close to our veteran players and to be close to our staff. There is chemistry on the court and there is also chemistry off the court.
Kara Lawson
Lawson concluded by highlighting that, although there were good moments, there were also difficulties, which he considers positive for the team’s learning and improvement process.It’s different for them, rotationally. All these players start with their respective WNBA teams. If they’re not the number 1 option, they’re the number 2 option on their team. So, you’re asking them to play a different role… they’re all doing it willingly and giving their best.
Kara Lawson
