U17 World Championship – Day Two

USA, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Japan have remained undefeated after two games.

Lone African team Mali didn’t pose much problems to Italian side who cruised to a 40 point win. Belgian guard Hind Ben Abdelkader is the top scorer of the tournament early after she followed up her 25 point game yesterday with 29 points in Belgium’s trashing of Korea. After allowing 89 points to Korea, USA locked down on defense as they allowed Canada to score just 47 points. Diamond DeShields led the American side with 29 points.

Australia earned their first win of the tournament by ousting Brazil. Tiana Mangakahia had a double-double for the Australians with 16 points and 12 rebounds (she is only 165 cm tall). Spain posted a convincing 28 point win against Turkey – they were led by guard Leticia Romero who had 15 points. After the win in opening game against Turkey, Netherlands suffered a 20 point defeat to Japan who moved to 2-0. Yunika Nakamura led Japan for the second consecutive game, this time scoring 22 points.

Group A

Italy – Mali 71-31
Italy: Peresson 14, Pan 11, Ercoli 9 (20 reb)
Mali: Maiga 9, Keita 8, Djire 4

Belgium – Korea 84-53
Belgium: Ben Abdelkader 29, Lemmens 9, De Korte 7, Linskens 7
Korea: Shin 11, Yang 11, M.Lee 9

USA – Canada 86-47
USA: DeShields 29, Davis 14, Reimer 10
Canada: Nurse 8, Jardine 7, Orum 7, Potter 7

Standings: USA 2-0, Belgium 2-0, Italy 2-0, Korea 0-2, Mali 0-2, Canada 0-2

Group B

Brazil – Australia 46-56
Brazil: Ribeiro 13, Lucchini 11, Domingos 7
Australia: Mangakahia 16 (12 reb), Froling 10, Pearce 9

Spain – Turkey 77-49
Spain: Romero 15, Rodriguez 12, Esparcia 12, Navarro 10
Turkey: Akbas 13, Coklar 9, Gulcan 5, Altunbey 5

Netherlands – Japan 53-73
Netherlands: Vos 12, De Jonge 9, Slim 7
Japan: Nakamura 22, Yamada 17, Hatakenaka 14, Mawuli 11

Standings: Spain 2-0, Japan 2-0, Australia 1-1, Netherlands 1-1, Brazil 0-2, Turkey 0-2