Team USA remained unbeaten as the Netherlands defeated China to stay in third place in group B on the final day of preliminary games held on Thursday, September 11, at the National Indoor Stadium and the USTB Gymnasium.
US vs. Brazil 68-38 (Pool A)
Team USA won its fourth consecutive preliminary game, tallying 42 points in the paint, 22 assists and 17 steals. The United States scored 26 points on Brazilian turnovers as well. Guard Jen Ruddell and forward Carlee Hoffman led the US scoring drive with 16 points and 15 points, respectively. Brazil committed 27 turnovers, 22 of which occurred in the first half. Brazil finished its preliminary games with a record of 0-4.
Germany vs. Great Britain 50-44 (Pool A)
Both teams hit similar percentages of their field goals, but Germany gained the scoring advantage as Great Britain shot only 22% on free throws. Center Marina Mohnen was the only German player to score in the double digits (16 points), and she led the game in rebounds. Two British players - guard Clare Strange and forward Sally Wager - scored in the double digits.
Mexico vs. Canada 38-71 (Pool B)
Canada secured second place in pool B with an easy 71-38 win over Mexico. Janet Mclachlan scored a game-high 15 points, while the experienced and three-time Gold medalists Chantal Benoit and Misty Thomas added 14 and 12 points, respectively. Mexico struggled at both ends of the court to contain the larger and more physical Canadians, and the match was effectively over by the end of the first half, when the Canadians were leading 31-14.
China - Netherlands 35-51 (Pool B)
Elsbeth van Oostrom led the Netherlands to a second win of the tournament. The center had a game-high 23 points and added eight rebounds to help her team, which now has a 2-2 record. The Netherlands' defense was the key to the victory, forcing China to commit 25 turnovers and allowing only 35 points from the host team. Inge Huitzing and Cher Korver joined Oostrom with 13 points apiece.
(BOCOG September 11, 2008)