North Carolina State University Athletics
Team USA Routs Jamaica at Pan Am Games
10/25/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Oct. 25, 2011
Box Score | Photo Gallery | Team USA Stats
Guadalajara, Mexico - Team USA placed seventh at the 2011 Pan American Games after a convincing 87-41 rout over Jamaica on Monday morning at the CODE Dome.
NC State junior guard Marissa Kastanek scored three points, and tied for the team lead with five assists in 19 minutes of action against Jamaica.
The Lincoln, Neb., native averaged 5.8 points over the four games for Team USA. She tied for the team lead with six made three-pointers, while averaging 13.8 minutes per game off the bench.
Tavelyn James (Eastern Michigan/Detroit, Mich.) sank 5-of-6 from 3-point to lead the USA with 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the victory on Monday.
Tallying 10 points in the first quarter, Breanna Stewart (Cicero-North Syracuse H.S./North Syracuse, N.Y.) added 12 points, six rebounds and three blocked shots, while Shante Evans (Hofstra/West Chester, Pa.) recorded a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double and Kevi Luper (Oral Roberts/Adair, Okla.) finished with 11 points and five rebounds.
“We were a little flat to start, but they regained their focus and got the job done,” said USA head coach Ceal Barry. “I think they had a healthy respect for Jamaica, and they executed our offense and took care of the ball.”
The USA’s 62 rebounds against outsized and overpowered Jamaica, including 10 boards from Avery Warley (Liberty/Washington, D.C.), established a new high for the U.S. women in Pan American Games play, and the team also set a U.S. competition record with 49.5 rebounds per game.
“We knew we were bigger and stronger than our opponent, but we didn't lose our focus,” said Christine Flores (Missouri/San Antonio, Texas). “Of course, we wish we had been competing for a medal, but it was a great experience. We all got to play and contribute, and we finished strong with two wins.”
Jamaica managed to keep pace with the USA over the first three minutes of the game, and the USA trailed 9-6 at 7:17. A 3-pointer from Emilie Johnson (UC Santa Barbara/Loomis, Calif.), however, ignited an 18-2 U.S. run that included eight points from Stewart and the USA lead 24-11 at the first intermission.
"We hit shots today, and we made good passes, made a lot of layups,” James said. “It was good basketball.”
All 11 available players had scored for the USA by the end of the third quarter. Valencia McFarland (Mississippi/Edwards, Miss.) did not play due to a sore right shoulder.
Also against Argentina, the USA collected 24 steals for a new U.S. single-game high.
“This experience was energizing for me,” Barry said. “I loved being around the players, and these players had great energy. They were very resilient. We lost our first two games, but they didn't get down on each other. They didn't get negative or cynical; they just had big eyes and big ears and really listened. That's very impressive.
“This experience definitely will help them in their upcoming seasons,” Barry added. “Playing four games of international basketball is going to make all the difference in the world for themselves and their teams. It will be a positive impact on their team. The college coaches that allowed their players to play on this team, it was an unselfish move on their part. I know USA Basketball and myself personally are very appreciative of that.”
Overall, the USA women in Pan American Games competitions have won seven of 15 gold medals, as well as four silver and two bronze medals, compiling a 74-14 overall record.
