The Spanish women’s basketball team closed its time at the World Cup this Tuesday with a new defeat, 70-84 against the almighty United States, but with different sensations than the one suffered against Italy, leaving a good competitive image and taking advantage of the opportunity to add high-level experiences.
The current world and Olympic champions had so far devastated all their rivals in San Juan, but this time, despite winning comfortably and not suffering too much, they could not do so against a battle-hardened Spain that did not let go despite not having anything at stake either. Raquel Carrera and Megan Gustafson contributed 15 points each, while star Caitlin Clark did not shine too much, with only 7 points in total.
Even start
Spain came out ready to stand up to the champion of everything and say goodbye with better feelings than those left on Sunday in the defeat against Italy. To do this, they had to resort to Gustafson and Raquel Carrera in attack, with both centers combining for the first eleven points of their team, 7 from the nationalized team and 4 from the Galician team.
The current European runner-up, firm in defense and controlling losses much better to avoid easy points from the rival, came to dominate 11-8 at that start, but the world and Olympic champion, with the entry of Clark and the powerful physique she possesses, did not let herself be intimidated and quickly regained the initiative, with a 1-7 in the last two minutes of the first quarter (16-21).
The team led by Miguel Méndez worked hard to defend as best as possible against the United States, who were not very successful in their outside shooting, but did not forgive their second chances (10 points) and the return of Spain’s losses (9 already at halftime).
Fam, with six points, tried to demonstrate its virtues that raise expectations on the other side of the Atlantic against the Americans, but they were making room and, despite the efforts of the Spanish, they put themselves above ten points, although with a still not devastating 32-44 at halftime.
American final pull based on triples
After going through the locker room, the script didn’t change much. The Spanish team improved in attack, not so much in success, but in executing its plays and not committing losses (only four in the second half), and tried to create more imbalances in its rival with a zone defense.
With these arguments and despite leaving some baskets under the rim along the way, the current European runners-up tried to withstand the attacks of the American team, which found the triples to open their gap a little more heading into the final ten minutes (47-61).
Under the inspiration of Cooper, the best of his with 20 points, he threatened to definitively break the clash and was close to twenty points (56-75), but Spain showed fortitude, with the self-confidence of Buenavida and Fam, did not give in in defense and was able to tie that quarter (23-23) in a defeat with more positive sides than negative aspects.
Technical sheet
Spain 70: (16+16+15+16): Elena Buenavida (7), Mariona Ortiz (2), Maite Cazorla (8), Aina Ayuso (0), Maria Araujo (1), Helena Pueyo (4), Maria Conde (0), Awa Fam (10), Raquel Carrera (15), Megan Gustafson (15). Martin (6).
USA 84: (21+23+17+23): Paige Bueckers (9), Kelsey Plum (18), Dearica Hamby (14), Kahleah Copper (20), Chelsea Gray (8), Angel Reese (4), Rhyne Howard (0), Rae Burrell (0), Caitlin Clark (7), Jackie Young (2), Monique Billings (0), Kiki Irlafen (2).
Referees: James Griguol (AUS), Ritvars Hemsteins (LAT) and Yann Vezo Davidson (MAD).
