USA Defeats Australia in 2024 FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup Opener

14 July 2024

USA 82, AUSTRALIA 55

The USA Basketball Women’s U17 National Team opened the 2024 FIBA U17 Women’s World with a Group C win over Australia in Irapuato, Mexico.

Today’s game marked the third matchup between the United States and Australia in U17 play. The Americans improve to 2-1 all-time.

The United States will continue group play against Puerto Rico tomorrow, July 14, at 7:30 p.m. ET. It will be the first-ever contest between the two teams in U17 competition.

View the USA-Australia box score here.

TEAM NOTES

Starting it Off: The USA began the game with a starting lineup of Hailee Swain, Lanie Grant, Jerzy Robinson, McKenna Woliczko and Ivanna Wilson-Manyacka.

Swain, Robinson, Grant and Woliczko return to the national stage after winning gold at the 2023 FIBA U16 Women’s AmeriCup, along with Kelsi Andrews, Addison Bjorn, Jacy Abii and Lola Lampley. The rest of the team made their national team debuts.

Rebound, Rebound, Rebound: The Americans outrebounded Australia 68-47 over the course of the game, 29 of those being on the offensive glass.

Led by Woliczko (9 rebounds, 5 offensive) and Jordyn Palmer (8 rebounds, 5 offensive), the USA had six players finish with at least five rebounds, including Bjorn (5), Emilee Skinner (5), Abii (6) and Lampley (5).

Third-Quarter Americans: The United States set the tone in the third period by forcing three turnovers in the first minute. The U.S. outscored Australia 31-10 in the quarter and held Australia to 23% from the floor (3-13 FG, 0-2 3FG).

All-Around Effort: The Americans saw a big boost from their bench as the second unit combined for 40 points, compared to Australia’s 15. Bjorn and Skinner led the unit with nine points each.

PLAYER NOTES

Guess Who’s Back: Robinson, the 2023 FIBA U16 Women’s AmeriCup MVP, picked up where she left off on the international stage. Robinsons scored a team-high 14 points (6-14 FG), grabbed four rebounds and had three steals.

New Faces: Palmer, playing in her first FIBA global competition, saw action against Australia and filled up the stat sheet. The forward scored six points (3-5 FG) and grabbed eight rebounds in addition to her two assists, one steal and one block.