The United States faced its first test of the tournament as Cuba jumped out an early lead. Cuba’s advantage grew to seven points and they led for most of the first quarter before the U.S. chipped away at the defending champs’ lead and cut the margin to three with a pair of free throws by Candice Wiggins (San Diego, Calif.). The U.S. took a 14-13 lead late in the first quarter on a field goal by Charde Houston (San Diego, Calif.). Once in the lead, the United States did not relinquish its advantage.

“Cuba was a good basketball team and we didn’t play our best basketball tonight so I think it says a lot about our team -to that some point - that we were down, but we fought hard to recapture the lead and keep the lead,” said Tasha Humphrey (Gainesville, GA), who added 10 points and was tied for a team-best six rebounds. “We knew they had a lot of experience and we knew that they weren’t just going to lay down and die for us, so we came in, we were focused and we prepared mentally for a tough challenge.”

Though Cuba cut the United States’ lead to just two points on two different occasions in the second quarter, this young American squad kept their composure and built a comfortable lead going into halftime posting a 36-24 edge over Cuba.

“Coming into the competition, we knew we were going to play against very experienced, older players and our mindset has to be that we have to wear them out,” said Head Coach Dawn Staley. “I don’t think there is a team here that is as talented as the twelve people we brought down here. Now they may have played together longer than we have, they may have more experience than we have, but as far as talent for talent, I think we win out. We’ve been tested, but, we came here to win gold [medal] and until that happens, we’re not going to be satisfied.”

The United States broke the game open building its lead to 20 points thanks in large part to Humphrey, who added nine of her 10 points in the third quarter. Cuba trimmed the lead to nine points in the fourth quarter, but the U.S. was able to hold off the defending champs.
The U.S. forced Cuba to turn the ball over 22 times in the contest while recording 14 steals.

“I think we have a very unselfish team. When we first came to training camp we said that if we were going to win the gold we were going to have to do it together and push all egos aside,” said Marissa Coleman (Cheltenham, Md.), who led the squad with 19 points and leads the competition with a 56.5 field goal percentage. “So, when somebody has a hot hand, we’re willing to give it [the ball] to them. Tonight it was me, last night it was Emily [Fox] and the past couple of games it’s been Tasha [Humphrey]. I think it speaks volumes for how unselfish we are as a team.”

The United States had to wait until the conclusion of the game between Brazil and Canada to find out who they would be playing on Monday.
“It really doesn’t matter who we play. If Brazil wins, we play Canada. If Canada wins, we play Brazil. Either way, we’re going to have to play both of them at some point in the next two days,” said Staley. “We’re going to be well-prepared for either team that we have to face tomorrow and then the next day.”

The United States will play Canada tomorrow at the Rio Multipurpose Arena. Both the United States and Brazil improved to 3-0 today.

For more information, please contact the Nicole Saunches with the United States Olympic Committee in Brazil at 8890-3151.