The defending champion USA women’s 3×3 basketball team has clawed their way back into contention at the Paris Olympics. After suffering three consecutive losses to start the tournament, the team has secured their third straight victory in pool play with an overtime win against Canada.
Hailey Van Lith, a key player for the USA, delivered a powerful message after the hard-fought victory. “We have a lot of tweets bookmarked on how we shouldn’t come back to the States,” she said. “So we haven’t forgotten.” This statement underscores the team’s unwavering determination and their desire to prove doubters wrong.
The victory against Canada came down to the wire. Rhyne Howard’s clutch 2-point shot in overtime sealed the 18-17 win for the USA. Earlier in the day, the Americans had already overcome a tough challenge, defeating France 14-13.
Van Lith played a crucial role in forcing overtime against Canada. With 22 seconds remaining in regulation, she sank a 2-point shot to tie the game at 16. Canada scored first in overtime, but Howard’s decisive shot ultimately secured the win.
“After that third loss we had a heart-to-heart as a team and we were like ‘we didn’t come this far to lose,’” said Dearica Hamby. “We weren’t the favorites so to say but we’re still USA basketball and gold is the standard.” Hamby’s words reflect the team’s unwavering commitment to achieving gold, regardless of pre-tournament expectations.
Meanwhile, Spain secured a victory over Canada, improving their record to 4-2 in pool play. Sandra Ygueravide’s strong performance, including a 2-pointer in overtime, helped push Spain past Canada.
Germany also emerged victorious, defeating France with Sonja Greinacher leading the way with seven points. In a tightly contested match against China, Azerbaijan emerged victorious thanks to a strong performance by Tiffany Hayes and a crucial overtime 2-pointer by Alexandra Mollenhauer.
Australia, despite a strong start, suffered losses to Spain and Azerbaijan, finishing the day with a 4-2 record. Despite the setbacks, the team showcased their determination and resilience.
The USA women’s 3×3 basketball team has clearly made a statement with their recent victories. Their grit and determination to overcome a challenging start to the tournament demonstrate their commitment to achieving gold. The team’s performance has ignited excitement and anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the pool play stage.
