The US women’s 3×3 basketball team began their Paris Olympics campaign with a 20-17 defeat to Azerbaijan on Wednesday. This loss, following an earlier setback against Germany, leaves the defending champions at 0-2 in pool play.
Game Highlights
- Tiffany Hayes: Scored 11 points for Azerbaijan, including the decisive basket late in the game.
- Final Moments: Hayes drove into the lane and made a layup with six seconds remaining to give Azerbaijan an 18-17 lead.
- Missed Opportunity: The US had a chance to regain the lead, but Hailey Van Lith’s two-pointer missed its mark.
- Securing the Win: A subsequent foul by the US allowed Alexandra Mollenhauer to seal the victory with two free throws.
Team Performance
- Inexperienced Team: The US team, described as the most inexperienced in the tournament, struggled with team chemistry on both offense and defense.
- Dearica Hamby: Led the US with seven points and five rebounds. Hamby joined the team this summer after Cameron Brink’s injury.
- Hailey Van Lith: Contributed five points but missed a critical shot in the final moments.
Tournament Format and Outlook
- Pool Play: Each team plays six games in pool play, with the top two teams receiving byes to the semi-finals.
- Remaining Games: The US still has opportunities to advance. The unseeded teams will compete in a single-game elimination round before the semi-finals and finals.
Despite the early setbacks, the US women’s 3×3 basketball team remains in contention for a medal, with several games still to play in the pool stage