China tops host Australia 61-59 to reach gold-medal game
The Chinese team lifted coach Zheng Wei up, tossing her in the air after pulling off a thrilling victory over Australia. China is now guaranteed its first medal in the women's World Cup since 1994 after the 61-59 win over the Opals on Friday night in the semifinals. Han Xu had 19 points, 11 rebounds and five blocks to lead China (6-1), which will face the U.S. in the gold-medal game Saturday.
news.yahoo.comNew York Liberty, WNBA players populate World Cup rosters
That moniker also works for the city's WNBA franchise, the New York Liberty, which has seven players competing in the women's World Cup for five different countries. The two Liberty players are on opposite teams a few weeks after their WNBA season ended with a playoff loss to Chicago in the opening round. Whitcomb said that the Liberty players talked about the potential of them all coming to Sydney for the World Cup. Whitcomb said the Liberty teammates have been getting coffee with each other in between games. New York isn't the only WNBA team well represented in Sydney: Seattle has five active players as well as Jackson.
wftv.comBec Allen gets hurt as Australia beat Serbia 69-54
SYDNEY — (AP) — Bec Allen was instrumental in Australia's 69-54 win over Serbia scoring 16 points on Sunday in the World Cup. Allen was diving for a loose ball in front of the Australia bench when she took a knee to her midsection. Lauren Jackson scored five points in the period and the team played stellar defense, forcing Serbia into four shotclock violations. FRANCE 74, MALI 59Gabby Williams scored 14 points and Alexia Chartereau added 12 to help France beat Mali. Mali led 29-26 midway through the second period before the French closed the half on a 16-3 run.
wftv.comLiberty get Howard, Samuelson to Storm, 1st pick to Dallas
The New York Liberty acquired Natasha Howard from the Seattle Storm as part of a tree-team trade Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)NEW YORK – The New York Liberty acquired Natasha Howard from the Seattle Storm as part of a three-team trade Wednesday. 1 pick didn't stay in Seattle long as the Storm traded it to Dallas for Katie Lou Samuelson and the Wings’ second-round pick in 2022. “We have the privilege of welcoming multiple-time WNBA champions Natasha Howard and Sami Whitcomb to Brooklyn,” general manager Jonathan Kolb said. “I am very excited to be a part of the New York Liberty organization,” she said.
Stewart lifts Storm to Game 1 WNBA Finals win over Aces
Seattle Storm forward Breanna Stewart (30) celebrates after the team defated the Las Vegas Aces during Game 1 of basketball's WNBA Finals Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, in Bradenton, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)BRADENTON, Fla. – The Seattle Storm's lead down to two with a quarter left, Breanna Stewart took over. The big-game player scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter and finished with 37 to help the Storm beat the Las Vegas Aces 93-80 on Friday night in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals. She was a point short of the WNBA Finals record set by Angel McCoughtry. McCoughtry scored 20 points to lead Las Vegas, which was playing in the WNBA Finals for the first time since the franchise moved to the Nevada city three years ago. Eight players had reached 11 assists in a finals game before Bird's record performance.