Canada beat Jamaica 68-47 despite a 25 point, 7 rebound and 2 block performance by Storm original Simone Edwards. Simone is currently the tournaments leading scorer. She didn't get much help in the scoring department with no other player reaching double figures. Simone even hit her only three pointer for the game which she dominated offensively. Unfortunately Canada was able to easily overcome them with balanced scoring, three players in double figures and two awful close.
The US barely held off Cuba for an 85-79 victory. Cuba came prepared and looked in control of the game until the final few minutes when the US tightened up, took the lead and pulled away. Key scoring and defense in the final moments by Candace Parker (21 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks), Sue Bird (6 points, 9 assists, 4 steals), Katie Smith (13 points), Diana Taurasi (16 points, 5 rebounds) and Seimone Augustus (9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals) enabled the US to pull out the win. The US simply did not look like themselves until the end of that fourth quarter and Cuba responded to each and every run the US made until that final stretch. Everyone got fairly even playing time except Swin Cash (maybe it isn't just Bill Lambier) who did not play, Courtney Paris and WNBA Finals MVP, Cappie Pondexter. Candace Parker looks pretty, dang dominant on both ends of the floor when she gets going. Tennessee has a great chance at another NCAA title if Pat Summitt has the right players around her this season. Particularly impressive play from Yeima Boulet Peillon (17 points, 3 rebounds) and Yakelyn Plutin Tizon (23 points, 10 rebounds) on the Cuban team.
Brazil beat Argentina 72-62 behind 22 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists from Storm starter Iziane Castro Marques, making her the third leading scorer in the tournament. Unlike her former team mate, Simone Edwards, though, Izi had some scoring help with two other players in double figures and two more close to it. Fanciele Aparecida had a double double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Argentina was led by Maria Gimena Landra (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Mariana Andrea Cava (12 points).
The only game yesterday without a current or former Storm player was a blowout 85-54 win by host nation Chile over Mexico. Chile had 5 players in double figures while Mexico had one, Brisa Margarita Silva with 21 points.
Simone will look for more help from her team on the offensive end today when the Jamaicans take on her former Storm team mate Sue Bird and Team USA. The US will look to take control early and build some momentum and consistency. The game will air on NBA TV at 10:30 AM PST. Izi and her Brazilians will face Chile 1:00 PM PST.
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