Aug. 15, 2011

WASHINGTON - The 2011 USA Women's Basketball World University Games team started 2-0 as preliminary play began on Sunday in Shenzhen, China. Georgetown University Head Women's Basketball Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy helped coach the squad to victories over Brazil and Slovakia.

The Americans downed Brazil, 112-53, to open the games on Sunday. Five U.S. players scored in double digits as the U.S. cruised to victory. The game began tied, 6-6, but the U.S went on a 19-0 run making the score 25-6 at the end of the first quarter. The Brazilians never recovered as the U.S. never trailed in the contest.

The following day, the United States added another victory in preliminary play with a 114-63 win over Slovakia. Six players scored in double figures and every player on the squad managed at least six points. With a 12-2 lead in the first off an 8-0 run, it looked as if the Americans would run away with it. However, the Slovakians managed to keep it close trailing by just 10, 30-20, at the half. A big second half allowed the U.S. to hold on for the win.

Prior to competition, Williams-Flournoy and both the men's and women's squads participated in the World University Games Opening Ceremonies. The flag bearer was Orlando Johnson from UC Santa Barbara who overcame the death of six relatives before he was a teenager.

Team USA's next game will conclude preliminary play on Tuesday against Great Britain. The quarterfinals will be played on Aug. 18 with the semifinals the following day and the championship on Aug. 21.