Taber Spani was a shooting star for the U.S. women’s basketball team Wednesday.
The Tennessee incoming freshman scored a team-high 15 points in a 109-68 victory over Japan at the U19 World Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. With the win, the U.S. (5-1) finished second in Group F and advanced to the quarterfinals against France (3-3 and No. 3 in Group E) on Friday.
Spani, who was shooting 25.8 percent from the floor in the tournament, was 6 for 10 against Japan (2-4). She was 3 for 6 on 3 pointers — a vast improvement over her 25 percent tournament accuracy from long range.
Spani gave credit to teammate Skylar Diggins, who also hit three treys — all in the first quarter.
“Sky hit three right off the bat, which really was big,’’ Spani said. “That really opened up things for everybody and everyone kind of fed off each other. It was really nice to get the shots going in and getting the touch back.”
The U.S., which had been shooting 24 percent on treys, was 10 for 19 from behind the arc against Japan.
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Comments » 1
Wayfarer writes:
This is good news. I had some concerns because of Taber's shooting, yet I know the first time some players are on international tournament squads it takes a bit to get going. I glad to see her touch return. Good shooting for the rest of the tourney.
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