Delle Donne Sets the Bar High In First Two Games of World University Games
August 15, 2011
Photo Courtesy of USA Basketball
• USA vs. Brazil Boxscore
• USA vs. Slovakia Boxscore
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SHENZHEN, China – After two outstanding seasons at the University of Delaware, rising junior Elena Delle Donne has taken her talents to the international stage for the 2011 World University games.
And she has lived up to her All-American billing so far during the first games of the week-long international tournament.
Having logged just 30 minutes in the first two games for Team USA, Delle Donne is the team’s second leading scorer, posting 13.5 points per outing. The Wilmington, Del. native has helped the USA to a 2-0 record, defeating Brazil 112-53 in the opener Sunday, followed by a 114-68 victory over Slovakia on Monday.
Delle Donne paced the U.S. squad against Brazil, putting up a team-high 17 points and hitting six of her 11 attempts from the field. She also hauled in seven rebounds and handed out four assists in her 12 minutes of play. The 6-5 guard/forward hit all three of her free throws while knocking down two three-pointers.
In the next game, Delle Donne posted the USA’s first double-double of the tournament, putting up 10 points with 10 boards, including six on defense, vs. Slovakia. Delle Donne did her damage from beyond the arc, knocking down three of her four three-point attempts.
Through the first two games, Delle Donne is 9-of-21 from the field (42.9 percent), including five-of-seven from deep range, hitting threes at a 71.4 percent clip.She leads the team in rebounding, pulling down 17 in the two games for a team best 8.5 per game average.
Delle Donne has been a key factor in the USA outscoring its opponents 226-121 in just two games, carrying a scoring margin of +52.5. The USA is also outrebounding opponents 58.5-37.5, good for a +21.0 margin.
The USA team, which currently holds the top spot in Group B, will round out pool play on Tuesday when it takes on Great Britain (1-1) at 6 a.m. EST.
At 2-0, the USA sits in control of the group with Brazil and Great Britain tied for second at 1-1. Slovakia is in fourth place with an 0-2 record. The British side defeated Slovakia 64-51 but fell to Brazil 68-55 on Monday.
Quarterfinal action is set to begin on Thursday, where the winner of Pool B will face the Pool A runner-up.
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