Brianna Stewart saved the day for Team USA, but the Mystics’ newest training camp signee showed us there’s more to her than just that. In the WNBA, she “gets along with everyone.”
The U.S. Women’s National Basketball Team defeated the Belgian Women’s National Team 81-79 on Thursday night in the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualification Tournament in Antwerp.
Today’s quick headline is that the Americans nearly upset, but New York Liberty forward Brianna Stewart makes a layup with three seconds left. In addition, Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier scored 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting off the bench, helping the Americans push back in the fourth quarter and contribute to the comeback. …13 points difference!
Part of me wants to say that the Belgian Cats have suffocated. And you know what? They were suffocated. Belgium were in the lead for most of the match. And given the way this game played out, they should have won! That’s despite former Mystics star Emma Measman being held to six points on 3-of-9 shooting tonight. I expected that since she is the best known Belgian to us Americans.
If Team USA decides to focus on the other team’s best players, there are others who will need to fill the void. And starting tonight was point guard Julie VanLue, whom the Mystics signed to a training camp contract during this season’s free agency period. VanLue led the Cats in scoring with 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-12 from the 3-point line, and had four assists.
We don’t have a video to show you her highlights, but we will do so tomorrow when FIBA responds.
In addition to Vanloo, guard Maxuela Lissois Mbaka also had a more typical Messemanesque night, adding 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting.
The Cats shot 50 percent from the floor while the Americans shot 41.7 percent of their own. But if there’s one thing he doesn’t like about Belgium, it’s his reluctance to go out and shoot free throws, even if it’s not the “best textbook fundamental play.” . They attempted 12 free throws (and made seven), while the Americans attempted 31 free throws (and made 27).
If Belgium wants to increase its chances of defeating America, it will need to rely on more than just hot shootouts. They will need to be willing to take free throws even if they get fouled.
Mystics guard Ariel Atkins played 12 minutes off the bench for Team USA tonight and scored four points.
For Team USA, the game is easier and technically speaking there is nothing to play for. They play Nigeria tomorrow at 12:15 p.m. ET, and more time will allow them to focus more on Atkins. Please note that Belgium is on Central European Time, which is 6 hours later than Eastern Time.
But now, just when I thought I would never have to cover the Belgian Cats again, I saw how they did against Senegal and knew I had to write about it. Tip-off is approximately 2:45 PM ET.
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