OlympicTalk · Sep 30, 2018
U.S. crushes Australia for FIBA World Cup three-peat, Olympic berth
There were reasons to believe the dominant U.S. women’s basketball team would be challenged by Australia in the FIBA World Cup final.
The Americans’ slow starts in the last two games against Nigeria (trailed 17-9 after one quarter) and Belgium (behind 26-21 after the first). Australia’s play this tournament, winning its five games by an average of 26.8 points (5.8 greater than the U.S.’ margin).
Australian superstar Liz Cambage — a tournament-leading 27.2 points per game on 68 percent shooting for the WNBA scoring leader. The names missing from the U.S. roster — Maya Moore, Sylvia Fowles and Candace Parker, most notably.
Doubts faded in the first three minutes.