September 12, 2010

Jayne doing a great job for USA Basketball

Jayne went a long way towards securing a spot on the USA Basketball Women's World Championship Team with her performance in two friendly games last weekend.

On Friday, the USA defeated Australia, the current world champion, 89-56. Jayne did a stellar job in helping to defend against Australia's 6'8" Elizabeth Gambage (pictured on the right). Jayne scored seven points and had the game-high eight rebounds.

Coach Geno Auriemma said of Jayne's defense, "Jayne just did a really good job of being there. Jayne’s 6-5, she puts her hands up, she’s not 6-9, but it was … she had eight rebounds in 11 minutes. Jayne was exactly what we needed her to be. To be honest with you, that’s the best she’s looked in the five days we’ve been together. Maybe she finally had someone big enough, we’ve got to get some bigger practice players, I don’t know. We’re just not used to guarding anybody who’s 6-9. I was really impressed with Jayne. I thought she did a great, great job."

Here is USA Basketball's report of the game against Australia, with links to quotes, the box score and a photo gallery.

On Sunday, the USA defeated Spain, the #5 ranked women's team in the world, 85-69. Jayne played a lesser role in this game. She did not score, but contributed three rebounds, two assists and a block.

Tina Charles was the top scorer (17) and rebounder (10) against Spain. When asked about playing against Australis's Elizabeth Gabbage in the prior game, she replied, "I think Jayne did the best out of all of us post players, the way she guarded her and just controlled her and always had held her ground, and I get to learn from Jayne when I'm on the bench."

Here is USA Basketball's report of the game against Spain, with links to quotes, the box score and a photo gallery.

The USA World Championship team finalists will next travel to Spain to play Australia and either Spain or Senegal in friendly games on Sept. 17 and 18.

Then they will travel to Czechoslovakia for the 2010 FIBA World Championship that will be held Sept. 23 - Oct. 3. The gold medal winner earns a berth to the 2012 Olympic Games.

The official, 12-member 2010 USA Women's World Championship Team will be selected from the 18 finalists sometime before Sept. 21.

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