Sienna Betts continues dominance in Team USA U19 victory over Hungary

Saturday and Sunday brought very different lopsided wins for Team USA's women's hoops squad to unfastened Pool A play astatine nan FIBA U19 World Cup.

Saturday was a show of violative mightiness that had ne'er been seen before as USA defeated Korea 134-53.

On Sunday, however, Team USA didn't person its champion violative showing against Hungary. The Americans managed less points successful their 79-49 triumph complete Hungary than Israel had scored a time anterior successful an 86-82 nonaccomplishment to nan Hungarians. And Israel only won by 2 points (63-61) connected Sunday against nan Korea squad that USA had conscionable dismantled.

Spacing collapsed a spot successful nan half tribunal arsenic USA went conscionable 3-16 from three, and nan Americans moreover struggled severely from nan free propulsion statement wherever they went 16-30. Hungary managed to limit USA's modulation game, and while nan result was ne'er successful doubt, it was a awesome violative struggle by nan USA's standards. Before USA vanished connected an 11-0 run, it led only 68-49 pinch half a 4th to spell and 59-43 aft 3 quarters.

So erstwhile shots aren't falling and accelerated breaks aren't breaking, who amended to lead nan squad to a grind-it-out triumph than nan champion station subordinate successful nan tourney – 6-foot-4 incoming UCLA freshman and reigning Sporting News National High School Player of nan Year Sienna Betts?

After starring Team USA pinch 25 points connected 11-12 shooting to spell pinch 4 assists successful nether 20 minutes of action against Korea, Betts again took complete connected Sunday contempt having an off-night scoring nan ball. 

Betts was 2nd connected nan squad pinch 13 points connected 4-11 FG and 5-11 FT, but she was phenomenal connected nan little glamorous broadside of nan shot successful a superb team-wide show of defense to hit Hungary. The Grandview (CO) merchandise vanished pinch a game-high 13 rebounds, 5 blocks, and plus-minus of +27 while adding 3 steals.

Despite nan underwhelming violative showing for Team USA, its triumph was ne'er successful down acknowledgment successful ample portion to Betts. It's only been 2 games, but she's already nan clear MVP frontrunner for nan tournament.

Other apical performers connected Team USA included Kate Harpring (game-high 15 points successful 17 minutes), Jazzy Davidson (12 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals connected 5-10 shooting), Jerzy Robinson (12 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists connected 5-8 shooting successful nether 20 minutes), Kayleigh Heckel (game-high 7 assists and 5 steals), and Saniyah Hall (10 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals successful 13:10).

USA finishes excavation play connected Tuesday arsenic nan overwhelming favourite against Israel.

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