GWANGJU, South Korea -- The United States women's basketball team at the World University Games, under the direction of Northwestern University head coach Joe McKeown, jumped back in action Thursday night as it opened the medal round against Hungary, the second-place team from Group A.
The USA led by five points after a period and the advantage ballooned to 12 points at the half. Though its defense had been strong all night, the effort was ratcheted up another notch in the second half. The World University Games team limited Hungary to seven third-quarter points on 2-of-12 shooting from the field. The USA continued to use its full-court pressure to help earn 10 steals in the third quarter alone as it led 67-34 after 30 minutes of action at Dongkang College Gymnasium.
There was very little let down in the defensive effort over the final 10 minutes of the quarterfinal matchup. The Hungarians made only three of their 16 shots from the field in the fourth as the United States polished off an 84-43 victory in the quarterfinal matchup.
McKeown's team will enjoy a day off Friday as it prepares to face Japan in a semifinal game on Saturday at Dongkang College Gymnasium. The Japanese upset Australia, winner of Group D, in the quarterfinals, 83-71. The USA's semifinal game will tipoff at 8 p.m. local time on Saturday, July 11, which is 7 a.m. EDT/6 a.m. CDT in the United States. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU and ESPN3.com.
In the first semifinal game Saturday, Northwestern alum Karly Roser's Canada team will go up against Russia. Roser has started all four games for her team which defeated the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals, 61-53.
For an in-depth look at each of the four World University Games contests, including recaps, quotes and photos, please click these USA Basketball links:
July 5 - Italy
July 6 - China
July 7 - Czech Republic
July 9 - Hungary (Quarterfinals)
The USA led by five points after a period and the advantage ballooned to 12 points at the half. Though its defense had been strong all night, the effort was ratcheted up another notch in the second half. The World University Games team limited Hungary to seven third-quarter points on 2-of-12 shooting from the field. The USA continued to use its full-court pressure to help earn 10 steals in the third quarter alone as it led 67-34 after 30 minutes of action at Dongkang College Gymnasium.
There was very little let down in the defensive effort over the final 10 minutes of the quarterfinal matchup. The Hungarians made only three of their 16 shots from the field in the fourth as the United States polished off an 84-43 victory in the quarterfinal matchup.
McKeown's team will enjoy a day off Friday as it prepares to face Japan in a semifinal game on Saturday at Dongkang College Gymnasium. The Japanese upset Australia, winner of Group D, in the quarterfinals, 83-71. The USA's semifinal game will tipoff at 8 p.m. local time on Saturday, July 11, which is 7 a.m. EDT/6 a.m. CDT in the United States. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU and ESPN3.com.
In the first semifinal game Saturday, Northwestern alum Karly Roser's Canada team will go up against Russia. Roser has started all four games for her team which defeated the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals, 61-53.
For an in-depth look at each of the four World University Games contests, including recaps, quotes and photos, please click these USA Basketball links:
July 5 - Italy
July 6 - China
July 7 - Czech Republic
July 9 - Hungary (Quarterfinals)