USA Captures Second Win at 2022 Women's U17 World Cup
- Box score: USA vs. New Zealand
- 2022 USA Basketball Women's U17 National Team fact sheet
- 2022 FIBA U17 World Cup Schedule
Behind a 23-9 second quarter that built a 14-point halftime lead, the USA Basketball Women’s U17 National Team cruised to a 102-34 victory over New Zealand on Sunday at Fönix Hall in Debrecen, Hungary.
The U.S. was led by four double-digit scorers and one double-double in its complete performance over the final three-quarters of its matchup with New Zealand.
Hannah Hidalgo paced the U.S. in the scoring department with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the field. She also added four rebounds and three assists to what amounted to a busy game for her on the offensive end.
Aiding Hidalgo was JuJu Watkins, who scored 14 points, Mikaylah Williams, who pitched in with 12 points along with seven rebounds, and Breya Cunningham, who scored 10 points.
Cunningham complimented her 10 points with 10 rebounds, giving her a double-double in the contest. It marks her first double-double of the 2022 FIBA U17 Women's World Cup.
As a team, where the USA shined was in the rebounding department. For the second game in a row, the team owned the glass. This time, it was to the tune of 74 to 29. Of the USA’s 74 rebounds, 40 came on the offensive glass, resulting in 38 second-chance points.
Additionally, the U.S. was forcing turnovers and getting the ball inside for looks around the basket. In total, the USA tallied 40 points off 36 New Zealand turnovers and 78 points in the paint.
Sunday’s game opened with a first-quarter which saw New Zealand grab a three-point lead following a slow start from the U.S. Eventually, the USA would answer in the final seven minutes of the quarter, and the frame of action ended with the game tied at 12.
In the second, the USA blitzed New Zealand, forcing them into turnovers and tough shots that created opportunities that the Americans capitalized on. By halftime, the U.S. led 35-21.
Entering the third quarter, the U.S. focused its energy on the defensive end, holding New Zealand scoreless for over six minutes en route to a 23-0 run which put the game out of reach.
Both Germany and the USA remain undefeated in Group D play (2-0). Germany picked up its second win of the World Cup against Mali, 55-44. The winner of the group will be decided in the USA’s matchup with Germany set for Tuesday in Hungary.
To watch Tuesday's matchup fans should visit www.youtube.com/c/FIBA.