Linnae Harper and Kaela Davis battled Italy two-on-three for most of their semifinal matchup, taking the game into overtime before losing 21-19.

(FIBA Photos)

The USA Basketball Girls 3x3 Team (7-2) will take home an honorary bronze medal after an impressive effort on day three in Rimini, Italy.

Approximately one-and-a-half minutes into the USA Girls' semifinal game against Italy, the U.S. went down to two players after Rebecca Greenwell (Owensboro Catholic H.S. /Owensboro, Ky.) suffered a knee injury. The USA’s fourth player, Taya Reimer (Hamilton Southeastern H.S. /Fishers, Ind.), had been sidelined Friday by a sprained ankle. The game was delayed by about an hour and 30 minutes before Kaela Davis (Buford H.S./Suwanee, GA) and Linnae Harper (Whitney M. Young H.S./Chicago, Ill.) finished out the contest playing two-on-three. The duo battled Italy into overtime before succumbing by just two points 21-19. Davis finished with 14 points, while Harper added five.

“It was one of the most amazing games I’ve ever been a part of,” said Jamie Carey, USA Basketball Assistant Women’s National Team Director and girls team leader. “It was unbelievable to watch. This game is hard as it is, and then to play with two people, it was amazing to watch those two girls compete. It seemed like the entire gym was around our court watching the game. Kaela and Linnae couldn’t have done anything more, and Taya and Becca were just as into it cheering from the sideline. It was an amazing team moment, and I’m very proud of these players.”

Slated to play Japan in the bronze medal game, the USA forfeited due to injury and technically finished fourth, however, FIBA recognized the USA's effort and awarded the team honorary bronze medals.

“I think at this point it doesn’t take a medal to show that we did something great, but it is very humbling for FIBA to award us honorary bronze medals,” Davis said. “We played our hearts out, and we are all proud of the effort we put forth today. The atmosphere was crazy, and at one point it seemed like every one in the gym was surrounding the court and cheering both teams on. It was pretty amazing.”

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