The USA defeated Australia 79-67, but it was a battle as is expected whenever these two countries meet.
Playing time for the USA women was less evenly distributed than it has been yet in this competition. Elena Della Donne played almost the entire game and had a huge double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds. Skylar Diggins added 17 points and five assists in 34 minutes.
Nneka and Chiney both got into foul trouble for the first time, but still made significant contributions to the victory.
Nneka gave as good as she got foul-wise and made five of her six free throws. She made just one of her seven field goal attempts, but it sparked a 9-0 run for the USA in the fourth quarter that helped them pull ahead of Austraila for good. She also had seven rebounds and two steals.
Chiney had eight points and three rebounds.
The USA will play Taiwan (also 5-0) in the gold medal game on Sunday. Taiwan is the shortest, quickest team that the USA has faced in the World University Games.
Chiiney says of Taiwan, "They are the most efficient team I have seen here. They are quick, they finish and they stay steady. Knowing us, we have to come out strong, really make defensive stops and rebound. We have a size advantage, but that doesn't mean anything to them. We just have to be ready, and we have to bring home the gold medal."
Here are the game report, box score, quotes and photo gallery of the USA- Australia game.
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