Pokol
Women’s pool round: Germany 17, U.S. 13
Opening their Olympic title defense, the U.S. women’s 3×3 basketball team fell to a hot-shooting Germany squad, 17-13.
Germany trailed 5-0 early but dominated the final eight minutes to win their first-ever Olympic 3×3 basketball game. The Germans showcased a beautifully balanced attack, with no player scoring more than 5 points and all four players dropping in at least 3.
Hailey Van Lith, a member of the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup gold medal-winning U.S. squad, led the Americans with 6 points and 3 rebounds. Los Angeles Sparks forward Dearica Hamby snagged 7 boards and added 4 points.
After the initial Hamby-led U.S. 5-0 run, the Germans punched right back with an 11-3 run to pull ahead by three. Stella Reichert powered Germany with three key buckets, not missing a single shot.
With U.S. energy flagging, Hailey Van Lith dropped in a clutch bucket to stop the bleeding. Hamby then connected on two of her own, tying it at 11 with just 3:10 left. But from there, it was all Germany. Sonja Greinacher connected on a big two, and the Germans never surrendered the lead, coasting to a 17-13 victory.
The U.S. shot just 1-of-8 from behind the arc, while Germany’s 40% clip all but assured the German victory.
The American loss is just the nation’s second women’s loss in the short history of Olympic 3×3 basketball. The U.S. is back in action Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. ET against Azerbaijan. Germany faces Australia at 11:30 a.m.
