USA vs. France Box Score | Canada vs. Japan Box Score
KLAIPEDA, Lithuania - Behind a stifling defensive effort, the 2013 USA U19 World Championship Team (9-0) held France (7-2) to eight points in the second half en route to a 61-28 victory and the USA's fifth-straight FIBA U19 World Championship of Women gold medal Sunday night in Klaipeda, Lithuania.
The U.S. has claimed six of the last seven U19 gold medals and boasts a 54-4 record over that span, while owing an all-time 66-12 record in U19 play.
France earned its first medal in FIBA U19 World Championship history.
In coming back from a 17-point deficit in the third quarter to defeat Spain 73-68 on the bronze medal game, Australia earned its first medal since 1997 and upped its medal totals in U19 play to one gold (1993), one silver (1997) and two bronze medals (1989, 2013).
The USA battled France to a 66-63 victory just four nights earlier, so both squads knew a tough fight loomed from the tip.
The USA held France to an ice-cold 21.7 percent shooting from the field, including a frigid 8.3 percent (1-of-12) from beyond the 3-point arc; outrebounded the French 48-37, scored 22 points off of 24 turnovers, and outscored France 18-2 on the fast break.
Gonzaga University women's basketball head coach Kelly Graves was an assistant coach on the U19 squad.
"It was an honor," stated Graves of being part of the U19 staff. "It was also an honor and privilege to be able to work with these players. I am happy for the team; they deserved this. They are a great team, an amazing team. The defensive performance they employed tonight was just incredible. I am happy to be a small part of it."
To listen to full audio of Graves quotes on winning gold, go here.
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Canada Defeats Japan To Take Seventh
KLAIPEDA, Lithuania - On the final day of competition at the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championship of Women, the Canadian Junior Women's National Team (JWNT) defeated Japan 75-64. The victory gave Team Canada a 4-5 record in the tournament and a seventh-place finish overall.
Gonzaga University incoming women's basketball freshman Emma Wolfram tallied 12 points for Canada and added eight rebounds, five blocks and one assist.
Canada played a strong opening 10 minutes and used its size to capitalize on second-chance opportunities to build a 23-14 lead after the first frame. A 15 point second have outburst by Jamie Weisner gave Canada the 45-33 advantage going into the locker room.
Japan outscored Canada 21-13 in the third quarter to pull within four points of the JWNT at 58-54. Canada finished the game with solid shooting, and even better rebounding, to hold off Team Japan and close out the tournament with a victory.
Rebounding was a significant advantage for the Canadian side as they won the battle for the boards 68-33, resulting in 22 second-chance points and 44 points in the paint.
