ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia –
Christina Dalce and
Lucy Olsen helped the USA U21 team to a one-point win over China to take home the USA's first 3x3 Nations League Final crown on Friday in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
The Final was a classic as both sides made timely shots and defensive stops throughout. It was a one-point game until China converted on a 2-pointer from the top of the key with 5:50 left. Trailing 9-6, the USA U21 squad went on a 6-1 run to hold a 12-10 advantage with 3:00 to play. Three-straight buckets from Mara Braun put USA U21 ahead 16-14 but China would fight back.
With 1:14 remaining, a Chinese layup and 2-pointer gave them the lead 17-16. A
Christina Dalce layup brought the game back to even and following another quick score from China, she matched with an inside bucket of her own.
China turned the ball over on the ensuing possession. With under 10 seconds left,
Lucy Olsen looked to put the game on ice with a drive to the basket but her attempt was off. Morgan Maly grabbed the rebound and put the ball back up and in, giving USA U21 the 19-18 win at the buzzer.
Maly was named the MVP of the 2023 FIBA 3x3 Nations League Final after leading the USA U21 squad with 39 points.
The semifinal was a tight battle between the two American teams.
Just two minutes into the contest, the score was 8-7 with USA U21 holding the slight edge. Around the midway point of the game, the score was 14-13, favoring USA U21. Shots kept falling and the contest ended up being the fastest game of the tournament with USA U21 prevailing, 21-17. Olsen scored a team-high 10 points for USA U21 while USA saw Azana Baines (six points) and Sydney Taylor (eight points) combine for 14 of the team's 17 points.
Both USA U21 and USA won their quarterfinal matchups to start play on Friday.
USA U21 edged past Egypt 21-17. The game was tied at 16 with 1:30 remaining. Egypt hit two free throws for a slight lead but the USA U21 response was a 5-0 run to end the game with the win. Maly led the team in scoring with 10 points.
The USA pushed past France U21 in their quarterfinal game 21-15 on the back of a 10-point performance from Taylor. She accounted for eight of the USA's first nine points. As France hung in and trailed by two, the USA surged ahead with a 7-0 run to distance themselves and set the table for a 21-15 win.
For full results from the 2023 3x3 Nations League Final, click here.
