Texas Tech & Team USA Head to Gold Medal Final At World University Games
In their fifth game in six days the United States, represented by Texas Tech, dug deep to overcome a sluggish second half and beat Hungary in dramatic fashion 73-71. Team USA will try to win it’s first Gold Medal at the World University Games since 2015 when they face off against China on Friday July 25, at 1 PM CT on FISU.TV.
“It’s a big bonding experience for our team to be here playing for Team USA and now for gold,” said rising sophomore Kalysta Bird Martin following the game. “I think its going to be huge for us not just for this gold medal but for our upcoming season. I’m super excited.”
This win moved USA to 4-1 at the World University Games, China (5-0) will be the third consecutive undefeated team they are looking to knock off. Those that would like to join the live game chats and discussion with fellow Red Raiders can do so here.
Stat Leaders
Jalynn Bristow – 14 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals
DeYona Gaston – 14 points, 11 rebounds, 1 block
Bird Martin – 11 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds
Adlee Blacklock – 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
Sidney Love – 11 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds
Denae Fritz – 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steals
How It Happened
The United States started pretty well in this holding a 17-11 lead at the end of the first quarter and that was after Hungary nailed a three to get to 11 on their final possession. There was a clear “let them play” decision made by the refs early however and USA struggled to finish through contact and extend their lead. It was some really hefty contact to be fair but it’s only a foul if the ref calls it one right? Have to adjust and USA did so as the game went on.
A combination of that physicality and the fact they are playing a seven player rotation in their fifth game in six days led to a lot of missed opportunities. Dead legs were leading to front rimmed shots and even a few free throws that allowed Hungary to hang around. A big time three to end the first half from Bird Martin however did give USA a seven point cushion heading into the break. This was the eighteen year olds best game of the tournament and her team needed every bit of it until seniors Love and Fritz could take over late.
This wasn’t a pretty effort, but they gritted through it. There was some sloppy, tired play on the part of USA in the second half that gave Hungary life. Things weren’t looking great when the Hungarians managed to climb all the way back from a double digit deficit to take their first lead of the game with 35 seconds left to play. Then Denae Fritz happened.
On what was a quiet night for her overall she stepped up when the team needed her, nailing a deep three with a defender about inside her jersey to tie the game at 71 with 23 seconds to go. She quickly followed that up by muscling up on an attempted post entry pass to get the deflection that led to an eventual steal for USA and a chance to win the game.
And win the game is exactly what senior Sidney Love did. She was arguably the team’s steadiest player in this, controlling the moments and attacking when USA needed it. So with only a few seconds on the clock, she shimmied her defender and drove into the paint forcing Hungary to foul her. Cold blooded as ever she then proceeded to knock down two clutch free throws and give USA a 73-71 lead that would be enough to win it.
Up Next
USA | Texas Tech get China that comes in as the best shooting team in the tournament both overall (47.1%) and from three (38.0%.) They have good size in 6-7 LIU Yutong who averages 15.0 points and a sharp shooting guard / forward in 5-10 CHEN Yujie that leads the team at 18.5 points a game. Overall they have four players averaging in double figures and another two hovering near eight points a game. They’ve also been stout defensively, sitting second in the tournament in points allowed at 55.8 per game.
A day off comes at a good time for Team USA as they likely need to lean on their pressure defense to get some easy buckets and avoid going up against the height of China inside in the half court too often. It also doesn’t hurt that Team China has turned it over about 16 times per game which could play into the American’s hands, literally and figuratively.
First tip is at 1 PM CT and can be streamed on FISU.TV.
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