HoopWatch

Diana Taurasi led Team USA to a masterful 99-59 win over host Brazil at the Women’s World Championships held in Sao Paulo, Brazil Saturday night. She scored 28 points, including 18 in the third that broke the game wide open, capped with six three pointers. She finished the game making 11-of-15 field goals.

Team USA refused to go home without a medal and made it a collective mission to bounce back from a 68-75 loss to Russia which ended their 50-game winning streak in international stints.

Team USA led at halftime 49-34. Then Taurasi suddenly caught fire in the third. She just played for 16 minutes.

Tina Thompson added 15 points. Tamika Catchings scored 11 and also had nine rebounds.

This game is a testament as to how important good field goal shooting and three-point shooting to international games. USA shot a high 56% from the field (39-out-of-70), and 11-of-20 from three point range as opposed to Brazil’s horrible 37% field goal shooting. Brazil also only shot 4-of-20 from beyond the arc.

Houston Comets’ Janeth Arcain led Brazil with 16 points. (pics courtesy of usabasketball.com)