UConn freshman Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis shared game-high honors with 15 points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes Sunday to lead the U.S. to a 69-46 victory over Spain in the gold medal game of the FIBA U-19 World Championship in Puerto Montt, Chile. Mosqueda-Lewis was 6-of-11 from the field (3-of-6 3-pointers).
UConn sophomore Stefanie Dolson added 15 points, four rebounds and one block in 16 minutes for the U.S., who finished 8-1 and claimed its fourth straight gold medal at the event.
The game was not close for long. Leading 11-9 with nearly four minutes left in the first quarter, the U.S. scored nine straight points during a 14-3 run. Dolson had seven points in the run.
The U.S., who was coached by former UConn All-American and current Hartford head coach Jennifer Rizzotti, led 25-15 at the end of the first quarter; 37-22 at halftime; and 56-36 at the end of the third quarter. The lead swelled to as large as 25 in the fourth quarter.
UConn 2012 commit Breanna Stewart finished with three points, six rebounds and game-highs of two steals and three blocks in 19 minutes. UConn sophomore Bria Hartley had three points, two rebounds and three assists in 29 minutes.
Morgan Tuck, another UConn 2012 commit, had two points and one rebound 13 minutes. UConn 2013 target Diamond DeShields had two points and one rebound in four minutes.
Rizzotti, Dolson, Hartley and DeShields also won a gold medal at the U-18 Championship last summer in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Rich
This was a very interesting tournament for UConn fans in so much as we saw every one of the UConn players/commits take a leadership role in one game or another. For what it is worth, it seems to be a good sign with KML saving her best for last. While “watching” these games on USA BB Live Action Play-by-Play, I became impressed with B Stewart. Her games was more well rounded than most of the players (points, rebounds and blocks). I find her performance remarkable and hope she continues improving! She may be the real jewel in the crown. Will there be any reporting concerning the games in Europe that the team will play on their trip?
Congratulations to the USA women’s basketball team on winning the gold in the 2011 FIBA U-19 World Championships! Any idea why Diamond DeShields played so few minutes in the semi-final and final? Breanna Stewart did not play her best in the semi-final and final, but the high school senior still played a great tournament. Looking forward to UConn’s first regular season game in November.