Baugh, Bjorklund play role for U.S.

Tennessee signee Vicki Baugh started for the second straight game as the U.S. women’s team finished 3-0 in the preliminary round of the U19 World Championship with a 90-50 victory Saturday over Lithuania in Bratislava, Slovakia.

Baugh played 18 minutes and was 2 of 3 from the field for 4 points. She had one rebound, five steals, one block and one turnover.

“My role on this team is definitely to rebound,” said Baugh. “I feel like I’m a more athletic post player, and I think the fact that I can run the floor with the guards is one of my strongest points.”

UT signee Angie Bjorklund played 17 minutes and scored 7 points on 2 of 7 shooting, including 1 of 5 from 3-point range. She added five rebounds and one steal.

“I think every person on this team has found a definite role,” said Bjorklund. “We all need to do our part defensively, that’s for everybody. For my role, personally, I’m a shooter, so I need to hit my shots, and, as a guard, I need to take care of the ball.”

The second round starts Monday.

“Coach (Doug Bruno) has broken this tournament down into the concept of three wins in a row, three times,” said Bjorklund. “That would get us the gold medal. So now that we have accomplished the first three wins, there is a little bit of celebration before we set out to win the next three.”