After shooting just 3-of-15 from the field (20.0 percent) in the first quarter, the USA found itself in a deep hole against Australia and was never able to recover, the Aussies triumphed 64-58.
The USA, which trailed 25-8 after the first 10 minutes, fought back and tied the game twice in the third period but never led in the contest.
Australia extended its lead to the biggest margin of the night, 27-8, with the first bucket of the second period, but the USA went on a 10-2 run that included 3-pointers and cut the deficit to 29-20 at 7:09. The teams traded baskets until a 7-0 spurt from the USA to end the first half with Australia ahead by just two points, 37-35.
Both teams struggled to score in the third period and Australia held a 45-41 advantage with 1:35 remaining. That was as close as the USA would get for the remainder of the game.
A three-quarter court shot from Australia's Aimie Clydesdale to just beat the third-quarter buzzer gave the Aussies a 48-41 lead and the game's momentum. Over the final 1:35 of the third and into the first two minutes of the final stanza, Australia held the USA scoreless while it tacked on nine points, including the buzzer-beater, and the USA trailed 52-41 with 7:40 remaining in the game.
The lead was cut back to 56-48 at 5:41, but Australia had an answer for every U.S. score down the stretch, including making 4-of-6 free throws.
Despite forcing 28 Aussie turnovers, the USA shot a paltry 23-of-75 from the field (30.7 percent), was outrebounded by Australia 43-40.
Australia, which shot 25-of-51 from the field overall (49.0 percent) and a sizzling 10-of-11 (90.9 percent) in the first quarter, was led by 16 points from Gretel Tippett, who fouled out with 5:25 left in the fourth period.
The Australian team tips off its 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women campaign against European Champion Spain on Friday July 16, allowing a few days to rest following the international tournament in Alagón.
Argentina, Belgium, China and Mali make up the rest of group B, leaving Canada, France, Japan, Russia, Turkey and the United States to battle it out in Group A.
Follow their progress here on www.basketball.net.au or via the official site at http://france2010.fiba.com/
AUSTRALIA 64 (G Tippett 16, T Roberts 12, L Nicholson 11) def
UNITED STATES 58 (W Williams 13, C Burdick 12, K Lewis 7)
In Alagon, Spain
Play-by-play will be available thanks to FIBA Live Stats for the group matches.
AUSTRALIAN U17 WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Friday 16 July Australia v Spain 20:30 (4am Sat AEST)
Saturday 17 July Australia v China 17:30 (12:30am Sun)
Sunday 18 July Australia v Argentina 15:00 (11pm)
Tuesday 20 July Australia v Mali 17:30 (12:30am Wed)
Wednesday 21 July Australia v Belgium 15:00 (11pm)
FIBAtv.com will be streaming every match live from the quarter-final onwards, from July 23.
Photo courtesy of www.usabasketball.com
