Team USA stay undefeated in group play beating Belgium

USA Belgium 

Breanna Stewart put on a show for Team USA in the first quarter, going 4-4 from the field and scoring 11 points. Team USA led 17-12 early on but Belgium’s Julie Vanloo went on an 8-0 run, giving them a 19-17 lead. After one quarter of play, we would be knotted at 23.

Team USA established their rhythm in the second quarter, outscoring Belgium 19-6 and leading 42-29. Belgium would go on its own run late in the quarter, outscoring Team USA in the closing few minutes of the first half. Team USA led Belgium 46-38 at halftime. Alyssa Thomas was key for Team USA in the second quarter, scoring 8 points, collecting 4 rebounds, and dishing out two assists.

In the third quarter, Belgium’s momentum shifted in their favor, with them pulling within 6 53-47. Napheesa Collier would hit two big buckets going on a 5-0 run to help extend Team USA’s lead.

Emma Meesseman had a huge quarter, scoring six of Belgium’s 14 points, but they trailed Team USA 60-53 entering the fourth quarter.

Team USA opened the fourth quarter on an 8-2 surge, and it seemed like they would pull away with a 13-point lead.

Belgium, like they had throughout the game, responded with back-to-back threes from Antonia Delaere, bringing Belgium within single digits.

Team USA answered with their own run, powered by the explosive post combo of A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, who led a 10-4 run to put the US up 78-65 with 3 minutes left.

Team USA would lead by double digits for the remainder of the game, eventually winning 87-74 on a Sabrina Ionescu three-pointer.

Box Score

Breanna Stewart led Team USA with 26 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and three blocks. Stewart was outstanding in this game, shooting 8-14 from the field and 9/10 from the foul line.

A’ja Wilson also had a strong game, ending with 23 points, 13 rebounds, and two assists while shooting 9/17 from the field.

Jewell Loyd and Alyssa Thomas both finished with eight points, while Napheesa Collier and Britney Griner had seven.

The most significant disparities in this game were the points off the bench, which the United States controlled 30-11, and the fast break points, which they won 22-5. Team USA also controlled the glass, outrebounding Belgium by 48-28.

Team USA will face Satou Sabally and Germany on August 4th at 8:15  a.m. It will be a battle of the unbeaten teams, with Germany and Team USA both 2-0 in group play.