BRNO (Czechia) - USA have retained their precious FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup crown once again after completing an 88-76 success against Australia to wrap up their fourth consecutive title.
The victory extended USA's winning streak in the competition to an eye-popping 28 games, spread across four separate editions as they celebrated their 11th title.
Turning Point
At 70-65 ahead with only four minutes or so remaining on the game-clock, USA still looked far from comfortable as the game entered crunch time. The Gems were still causing headaches for the champs.
However, up stepped Saniyah Hall who made a tough move and finish at the hoop, prior to Jazzy Davidson also scoring. Those two plays put the daylight the defending champions needed to keep Australia at arms' length for the rest of the contest, as they subsequently pulled away even further in the closing minutes.
Game heroes
Hall signed off on an exceptional tournament with an epic display in the Final. She recorded a performance efficiency valuation of 35 after accumulating 25 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists.
Jazzy Davidson also came up big with 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists, while Sienna Betts added a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Stats don't lie
The 19 offensive rebounds that USA claimed was an epic number in such a big game and against a team that has plenty of size and hard-workers. That also contributed to a highly productive 13 second chance points.
Meanwhile USA used their aggression in the paint and ability to get to the hoop to shoot 26 free throws (making 19) as opposed to Australia being 2 of 5 from the line.
Bottom line
Anything less than gold in this competition would be seen as a failure by USA, but the players and coaches added to their stunning legacy with another title. They broke multiple records along the way and generally, answered every question that was thrown their way.
Their big-guns came up huge for them when they needed it most, with Jazzy Davidson and Sienna Betts pivotal - but what about Saniyah Hall? Amazingly still eligible to step out at the next edition, she was unbelievable from start to finish. Too talented and too deep, USA effectively lived up to their status as favorites in style.
Australia came to this edition looking to challenge for the podium and they landed in the Final for a brilliant silver medal. They were left off the hook in the first phase by France and also in the Quarter-Finals by Hungary. They could and maybe should have lost both of those. However they didn't and took their chance with both hands.
They played great team basketball without any one incredible standout star - even if Bonnie Deas was the pick of the crop. Credit is due to the Gems and to Renae Camino and her staff for a great job.
FIBA