FRIBOURG, Switzerland (July 5, 2024) – After capturing a first-place finish in Quebec’s 3x3 circuit, the USA women exited the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series Fribourg Stop in the semifinals less than one month ahead of Olympic Games Paris 2024.
3x3 Women’s National teamers Cierra Burdick and Hailey Van Lith, alongside 2023 USA 3x3 Women's U23 Nations League Finals Team member Sydney Taylor and Duke Preseason Lisa Leslie Award Watch List candidate Kennedy Brown, donned the red, white and blue in Switzerland.
Pitted against Germany (Germany) in the semifinals, the United States faced an early 6-2 hole following six interior makes from Germany. The American ensemble rallied to bring it within one point, 9-8, but multiple missed layups opened the door for the Germans to take a 13-9 edge.
Unfortunately, USA’s offense stalled for the rest of the contest. The Germans added to their advantage and ultimately defeated the Americans 18-12. In the defeat, USA was led by Van Lith’s four points and two rebounds. Taylor and Brown added three apiece, and 3x3 veteran Burdick hit two 1-point attempts.
To secure a bid to the semifinal round, USA showcased its offensive savvy in its first look at Israel (Israel). After trading blows within the first four minutes, Taylor drilled four consecutive 2-pointers within a 50-second span to push her group ahead 14-3.
Israel answered with four quick points, but they could not bottle USA’s offense for the remainder of the game. USA’s foursome scored six straight to cruise to a 20-8 victory. Taylor, who stepped outside the paint for four straight looks from deep, led the team with eight points. Burdick added five points and snared nine boards while Brown notched five tallies and Van Lith registered two scores.
Prior to its quarterfinal round, the USA unloaded an interior offensive barrage in its second round of pool play against Gyor (Hungary). After being knotted at 3 apiece early, the Americans broke the tie and mustered a quick 5-0 spurt to pull ahead 8-3. Gyor would bring it within two, but five consecutive USA buckets turned a back and forth into a 17-7 blowout.
Taylor fueled the charge with six points and corralled eight boards, Burdick and Brown followed with four points each and Van Lith pitched in three tallies and six rebounds to qualify for the quarterfinal round.
Similar to its second pool play bout, USA rolled in its first pool play test vs. host Fribourg (Switzerland). Courtesy of back-t0-back 2-pointers from Van Lith and Taylor, the quartet opened with a 6-0 surge and never looked back.
Fribourg shrunk its deficit to four, but USA countered with another quick run and re-established a sizable 14-6 edge with four 1-pointers and a free throw. Brown, Burdick and Taylor would score seven unanswered points to close the contest on a 7-0 run and clinch a 21-8 victory over the Swiss.
Unlike 5-on-5, 3x3 is played on a half-court with a 10-minute game clock and 12-second shot clock. Play is continuous, as teams “clear” the ball behind the 2-point line following a made basket, defensive rebound or steal. The first team to score 21 points via 1-point field goals or 2-pointers behind the arc is victorious; or if time expires then the team leading wins.