AMSTERDAM (2012 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - Four players scored in double figures as the reigning champs United States knocked off Spain 75-62 to complete another undefeated title run at the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women.

Diamond DeShields, Rebecca Greenwell and Lindsay Allen all scored 13 points and Taya Reimer added 12 in the victory.

DeShields also had 8 rebounds and 5 assists, while Greenwell added 12 boards and Mercedes Russell collected 8 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals.

With FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann and Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) Jose Luis Saez among the officials and dignitaries looking on, the Spaniards pushed the Americans as far as possible. The 13-point margin was the closest any team has come to beating Team USA, bettering the 21-point win over Australia in the Quarter-Finals. The Americans are now 16-0 at two U17 World Championship for Women.

Marina Lizarazu paced the Spanish with 19 points while Ariadna Pujol added 10 for the Spanish and Maria Arrojo had 9 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals.

In the Final, DeShields nearly matched her scoring total (seven points) from the Semi-Finals in the first four minutes in hitting six points as Team USA built an 11-0 run.

Romero finally got the Spanish on the board after 4:12 minutes of action. The Europeans got within 15-8 before the USA closed with the final seven points of the first quarter – five of them by DeShields – for a 22-8 USA cushion after one quarter.

The Americans opened the second quarter on a 10-1 run – featuring two tough three-point plays by Taya Reimer – to increase the advantage to 23 points – 32-9. Spain put together a 15-0 run with triples by Yaiza Rodriguez, Arrojo and Lizarazu to move within 34-26.

Greenwell stopped the USA drought and start a mini 6-0 surge before Spain hit the final five points as the reigning champs were up 40-31 at the break.

The Americans’ defense kept Spain under wraps to start the third quarter and Team USA went on a 14-0 run to start the second half and re-establish the 23-point lead.

Pujol finally hit for the Spanish with 4:44 left in the third. Lizarazu nailed two more three-pointers as Spain found their rhythm offensively and closed the period on a 17-4 run and the Americans were up 58-48 going into the final 10 minutes.

Allen nailed three triples and scored 11 of the USA’s first 15 points of the fourth in pushing the gap to 19 points – 73-52. As was the case in the previous two quarters, the Americans let up and Spain closed the game on a 10-2 run to improve the final scoreline.

FIBA