Latvia lose to USA in Diamond day 2

Cappie Pondexter (right) of USA (Photo credit: CFP)Photo Gallery>>(BEIJING, August 4) -- The United States won their first game in the FIBA Diamond Ball for Women, beating Latvia 84-74 on August 3 in Haining, China. Latvia finished all competition in the preliminary round with a 1-1 record, after an impressive victory over Russia the previous day.

Latvia's guard Anete Jekabsone-Zogota was the high-scorer again today with 24 points including five three-pointers, 10 points less than her game against Russia, but her repeat knockout performance still couldn't stop the United States with five players in double-digit scoring.

In the first quarter, the US team took what would be their definite lead over Latvia 31-18. The US team had even contributions in scoring from all around, including strong plays in the paint by three-time Olympic champion Lisa Leslie, as well as points from forward Tina Thompson, guard Sue Bird and center Sylvia Fowles. These four players, along with Seimone Augustus, all had double-digit scoring, led by Fowles with 13 points.

Latvia was able to make a 7-0 scoring run in the second quarter and cut the deficit to nine points, 47-38, going into the break. Despite outscoring the United States by four points in the second quarter and two points in the third, Latvia could not overcome the early US lead.

Two minutes into the fourth quarter, Latvia pulled to four points behind the US team after a three-pointer by Jekabsone, but aside from a short-lived five-point lead in the middle of the first quarter, Latvia never pulled ahead of the United States and lost in the end 84-74.

Still, Latvia's shooting was more precise on the whole, averaging 44% from behind the arc for the night, while the US team could only manage 33%. Latvia also beat them on free throws, shooting an accurate 94% as compared to the US average of 67%.

The United States will compete against Russia in their second game of group play in the Diamond Ball on August 4 at 7:30 p.m. (UTC/GMT +8).