The Belgian Cats lost once morest the United States 75 to 84 (halftime: 26-38) for their second qualifying match for the Women’s Basketball World Cup, played on Friday in Washington.
An honorable defeat of 9 units once morest the world champions and Olympic champions. Belgium has in fact gone the distance with Emma Meesseman (en double-double 15 points, 10 rebonds et 5 assists), Hind Ben Abdelkader (17 pts), Julie German (6 pts, 6 assists), Kyara Linskens (9 pts, 6 rebounds), Billie Massey (8 pts, 8 rebounds) and the young Maxuella Lisowa (9 pts).
If American legends Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi have retired internationally, others like Breanna Stewart, Elena Delle Donne Where Angel McCoughtry participated in training camp, but left their place to other players who also want to see in action Cheryl Reevefor his first match as head coach of this US selection with an inexhaustible reservoir.
Belgium held the right end in the first quarter ended at 15 everywhere with a good defense. The only downside, the three quick faults of Kyara Linskens (6th, 9-11) in verve the day before once morest Puerto Rico.
The physical impact was of a whole different caliber too. This did not prevent the Belgian Cats from competing. The rises to the game Kesley Plum (3X3 Olympic champion), Brionna JonesWhere Kayla McBride, among others, allowed the Americans to widen a first gap (21-32, 16th). Under the impetus of Emma Meesseman (9pts, 6 rebounds before the break), who will have spent 7 seasons in Washington in the WNBA, the Belgians limited the gap at halftime to twelve units (26-38) despite 12 losses ball on the Belgian side (out of 17 in total).
Julie Allemand and Hind Ben Abdelkader went the distance once more (36-45) on the restart. The rotations on the Belgian side allowed the Americans to widen the gap at the half hour mark (44-63). The United States had enjoyed it. The Belgian Cats had the good taste not to let go of the meeting like Maxuella Lisowa. The Belgian Cats thus won the last quarter time 31 to 21 with in particular the contribution still of Hind Ben Abdelkader.
The United States was able to count in particular on Kesley Plum (16 pts) and Brionna Jones (15 pts) to line up a 39th official victory in a row.
Belgium, victorious over Puerto Rico on Thursday (98-65), will still have to wait before validating their ticket for the World Cup in Australia from September 22 to October 1 in Sydney.
On Saturday, the Belgian Cats join the Dominican Republic where they will play their 3rd and last group match once morest Russia on Sunday (9:30 p.m.) in Santo Domingo.
Prohibited from entering American soil due to visa problems and non-recognition of the Sputnik vaccine, the Russians saw their two matches once morest Belgium on Sunday and once morest Puerto Rico on Tuesday relocated by FIBA, the international basketball federation, in the Dominican Republic.
The two best teams of the group with the United States, already qualified thanks to their Olympic title in Tokyo this summer, qualify for the final phase in Australia.
