VIENNA, Austria (June 1, 2023) – The American women completed pool play with wins over Mongolia and Czech Republic on Thursday at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 Women’s World Cup in Vienna.
At 3-1, the USA clinched a spot in Saturday’s knockout rounds and finished second in Pool C behind Canada. On Saturday, the Americans will face Pool B's No. 3 seed for a spot in quarterfinals. Pool B completes pool competition Friday.
Hailey Van Lith and Cameron Brink combined for the bulk of the USA’s scoring in a 21-18 decision over Mongolia in the first game action of the day. Van Lith scored a U.S. tournament-high 11 points on seven 1-pointers and four from the line.
Brink, who had six on the game, and Van Lith combined for the USA’s first nine points before Cierra Burdick scored the first of her three. Burdick came down with a USA tournament-best 10 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass.
Though quiet for most of the game, Linnae Harper hit the game-winner with less than one tick remaining.
Mongolia raced out to an 8-2 advantage through the 7:41 mark before the USA began chipping away, starting with a 4-0 run. Taking their first lead, 15-14, with 2:53 to play, the Americans went back down immediately on a Mongolia 2-pointer and then took the lead for good, 17-16, at 2:05.
Mongolia committed its seventh foul at 5:48 allowing the U.S. to capitalize with seven points at the line. Though the USA didn’t sink a 2-pointer, they hit 14-of-24 1-pointers and dominated the glass 24-15.
Brink nearly had a double-double with 10 points and nine rebounds in the United States’ decisive 21-8 win over previously undefeated Czech Republic. Brink scored her team’s first five points and its last four, including the game-closing free throw with 2:03 still showing on the clock.
The U.S.’s defense forced nine turnovers, held the opposition to just seven 1-pointers and didn’t allow a score in the last 2:01 of game play with the red, white and blue closing on a 9-0 run.
Van Lith was good for the only USA 2-pointers of the day, hitting a pair en route to six points. Burdick, a force on the boards versus Mongolia, added five in the second game and dished three key assists. Harper contributed two points and three rebounds.
The play-in and quarterfinal rounds are scheduled for Saturday, June 3, followed by the semifinals and championship on Sunday, June 4.
The American men conclude pool play on Friday with tilts against Slovenia at 1:20 p.m. ET and hosts Austria at 3:20 p.m. ET on FIBA's 3x3 YouTube. For more information on the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup, click here.