Additional Quotes >> USA 85, Canada 37
USA head coach Anne Donovan, Seattle Storm
On today's game:
We knew that it was going to be a better match-up than Jamaica. We had to come out strong. Canada plays very scrappy, very physical. We knew it was going to be a very different test for us and a good test for us, they never go away. We watched them play against Cuba where they came back in the second half and cut the lead down to 12. They never stopped, they never gave up.
Like yesterday's game against Jamaica I was very impressed that our girls never stopped either. Our defense got better as we went, we gave up a total of 18 points in the second half and I thought did some really good things offensively.
What do you still need to work on for the final two games?
I thought we did a good job pushing the tempo and then understanding the need to take care of the basketball as we went along. One of our focuses tonight was to not put them on the free throw line as much as we had done in the past two games and we also did that. Continuing to rebound is something we need to focus as we move forward, especially since we'll probably have Brazil or Cuba at the end of this, so we need to really continue to work on our rebounding. That's going to really be important.
On the USA's five-minute defensive lapse in the first quarter:
We seemed to lose our focus a little bit. That's a natural tendency, but we haven't seen a lot of that from this team. The best thing is that we came back and held them to six points in the next quarter and nine points in the third and fourth quarters. We seemed to get it back and keep it from there.
Would you want to play Chile or Argentina tomorrow?
Chile or Argentina, it really doesn't matter who we play. We know that match-up tonight is going to be a very good game.
We know that they're really trying to develop their national team. They have a very good coach and they have good players who are really working hard to play better together. It's a young team that is going to do good things down the road.
Sue Bird, Seattle Storm
On today's game:
I think it was a good game for us. The more we play together, the better it is for our team, so the deeper we go into this tournament hopefully the better play you'll see out of us. Like coach said, tonight was a very good game. We knew Canada was going to be a tough team for us, a team that would never give up and we played very well and stayed with it for 40 minutes. I'm really proud with what everyone did and hopefully we can continue this into the next round.
Is the gold medal why you're here?
Certainly. We're here to win this tournament so we can qualify for the Olympics.
I guess the two areas we've had trouble with in the first three games is rebounding, particularly offensive rebounding for the other team. We're giving up way too many of those. I think every team has outrebounded us or at least come close throughout this tournament. That's one area. Also putting people on the free throw lin e, getting in some foul trouble. Today we did a much better job of that, so that's a good sign. If we can take care of the boards, no matter if shots fall or not as long as you take care of the boards you have a chance to win.
Rebekkah Brunson, Sacramento Monarchs
On today's game:
Canada was definitely a tough team. They battled it out. We knew that they were going to come out and play hard, do everything that they could to win, they were never going to let up. We had to be focused and ready to play throughout the entire game. It definitely was a good win for us. Each game that we've played was a good win for us. If we continue to get better and mold as a unit as the games go forward, we'll keep winning.
Both of those teams are definitely big in the post. They're going to try to pound it inside, they're going to try to do a lot of work inside against us. We have a lot of small, thinner, more mobile posts which is to their benefit and ours. We're going to definitely be equally matched. They're both good teams, they're going to come prepared, they're going to be ready, they're going to scout us, work hard and be focused. They're going to try to do whatever they need to do to win. They're going to be tough games either way. We need to continue to get better and play our game.
Kara Lawson, Sacramento Monarchs
What does the team still need to work on to win this tournament?
Once we get to this part of the tournament the competition is going to get better for us. We have a couple of things we need to work on. We talk about giving up too many offensive rebounds, giving teams too many second chance opportunities. One of the main things was free throws but we did a better job of not putting the other team on the line too much tonight. And then we need to be sharper in our execution offensively, trying to get out and run.
In a tournament like this when you have a deep team like we have, five games in five days really lends itself to our strengths because of our depth. We're going to try and use that in these next two games.
We had a chance to see Chile a little bit because we scrimmaged them. We have a good feel for them because of that. Argentina is a great team as well. At this point, in the semifinals you're going to have to play your best to keep advancing. I think we're focused, we're excited that we're done with pool play and we're getting into the weekend and have a chance to do what we came down here for. That's to win the gold medal and qualify for the Olympics.
DeLisha Milton-Jones, Washington Mystics
Do you think the depth of this team simply wears teams out?
Definitely. Our depth is the thing that's going to carry us over the top in this tournament and into the Olympics. I feel that the way that they comprise this team, they based our talents off of how deep we can go and the abilities of each player on this bench from one through 12. There's no let-up whenever they make substitutions on our side of the bench. Our intensity definitely raises with each substitution, we still get a lot of offensive threats out there on the basketball court. As a result of that we can win games by large amounts of points because we're continually putting pressure on the other team. That's a luxury that the U.S. has right now and for years to come that's a luxury we will have, and that will help us be victorious.
It takes a toll on the other team, especially their marquis players. The ones who get the ball the most. They not only have to try to score buckets against tough defense and tough defensive rotations with so many great players coming in and out, but they also have to defend bona fide athletes on the other end. Anyone playing against the U.S. who has to clock 30 minutes in a game, they have to be dog tired eventually when the fourth quarter comes. They're going to be out of gas. I think that was a huge reason why we won against Cuba. Late in the game we finally pulled it out. I think that cardiovascular came into play and freshness of the players legs coming off the bench. Making big plays like Katie Smith, getting a breather and then coming in and knocking down big threes, Rebekkah Brunson coming off the bench and getting huge rebounds and some put-backs. Our depth really pays huge dividends for us.
It's very difficult, especially when you're playing against other countries who are going for your throat. Every game for us is like a gold medal game. We not only have to match the other team's intensity, but we almost have to surpass it if we want to win the way that we know we can win.
Candace Parker, University of Tennessee
On today's game:
I thought we came in ready to play and our defense was exceptional today. To hold that caliber of a team to as few points as we allowed them was a great effort and we never let it down.
On Chile and Argentina:
We faced Chile in a scrimmage before, but we need to just focus on us. No matter who we play we have to come in tomorrow, no matter who we play and play USA Basketball. Get out on defense, get out on the break, run, those are the things we can work on.
I think so. We're solid from one through 12, that's what makes us special. We know when we come in there's no letdown. That's what we're capable of and that's what we did today.
Tina Thompson, Houston Comets
What are your thoughts on the competition here at the tournament?
Everyone is going to come out and play their best game against us. We're going to face a lot of tough games for the most part. We've trained hard, we're very focused, we want to qualify for the Olympics here. We're going to come out and play our hardest, play our best and leave everything out on the floor.
What do you think about Brazil?
Brazil is a good team. We scrimmaged against them earlier, right before the tournament and they are a good team. We expect them always to come out and play well. They're a very athletic team, they play a fast-paced game, they do a lot of cutting and passing. At times it's very difficult to guard them. But the same goes for us, it's hard for teams to match up and defend against us as well.
USABasketball.com is part of the NBA network of websites.