UConn women's basketball

Senior Maya Moore had nine points and a game-high eight rebounds in 15 minutes today as the U.S. defeated France 81-60 in its final preliminary round game at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Ostrava, Czech Republic. The U.S. advances to the second round as the No. 1 seed from Group B.

Diana Taurasi led the U.S. with 15 points and six rebounds in 26 minutes. Tina Charles added 10 points, three rebounds and three assists in 19 minutes. Sue Bird had nine points and three steals in 26 minutes.

The U.S (3-0) will meet Canada (1-2) in the second round Monday in Ostrava (NBA TV). It will meet Belarus (2-1) Tuesday and Australia (3-0) Wednesday. All times are to be determined.

Rich

Huskies’ senior All-American Maya Moore had a game-high 15 points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals in 24 minutes to lead the U.S. to a 108-52 rout of Senegal in preliminary round play today at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Six players scored in double figures for the U.S., which shot 61.1 percent from the field.

Swin Cash added 11 points and five rebounds in 16 minutes. Tina Charles had 11 points and three rebounds in 15 minutes.

The U.S (2-0) will meet France Saturday in its final preliminary round game at 9:15 a.m. (NBA TV). The U.S. will then move on to the second round in Ostrava Sept. 27-29.

Rich

Senior Maya Moore had seven points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in 22 minutes to help the U.S. to an easy 99-73 victory over Greece today in its first game at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Ostrava, Czech Republic.

“This is difficult, coaching in the World Championship because first, you’re not coaching the University of Connecticut where only the people in Connecticut care,’’ Team USA/UConn head coach Geno Auriemma said during his postgame remarks. “Now you’re coaching the United States, where everybody in America cares. So, it’s much different, much more difficult. I was probably more nervous before this game than I was before the national championship game last year.’’

Swin Cash led the team with 16 points, six rebounds three assists and three steals in 23 minutes. Tina Charles added 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds in a team-high 27 minutes. Diana Taurasi added eight points, while Sue Bird had six points and six assists.

The U.S., which shot 55.7 percent from the field, will meet Senegal Friday in its second preliminary round game at noon (NBA TV).

Here are Geno’s thoughts on Maya’s performance: 

“Maya looked like a college player tonight playing against experienced professionals,’’ he said. “She got lost a little bit a couple of times on the floor. She’ll adjust to that. She’s a smart player. Defensively and those sort of things, when you’re young and you play against two experienced players like Greece has, they’re going to take advantage of you. And they did, but she’ll be better tomorrow night.’’

Rich

There are a limited number of tickets remaining for UConn’s 2009-10 National Championship Dinner at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington Oct. 7.

Former Huskies All-American and 2010 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Rebecca Lobo will serve as the emcee as the Huskies celebrate their second straight national championship. The festivities will feature a highlight video provided by CPTV, performances by the school band and spirit squad and comments from athletic director Jeff Hathaway, coach Geno Auriemma and others.

The program is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. However, fans will have the opportunity to be a part of a special reception at 5:30 p.m. and a social hour at 6 p.m. Tickets for the social hour and dinner are $75; Tickets for the special reception and dinner are $175.

Fans, who will be permitted to bring cameras to the event, are being asked to fill out a response card, which can be found at http://www.uconnhuskies.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/conn/sports/w-baskbl/auto_pdf/2010_NCAA_Championship_Invite and send it to:

UConn Athletic Development
Attn: Women’s Basketball National Championship Dinner
2111 Hillside Road, Unit 3078
Storrs, CT 06269

Rich

Senior All-American Maya Moore was among 12 players named today to the USA World Championship team. The selections were made by the USA Basketball Women’s National Team Player Selection Committee at the conclusion of two and a half weeks of training camp and four exhibition games.

Former UConn stars Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Tina Charles, Asjha Jones and Diana Taurasi were also named to the team.

“The process has been unbelievably difficult,’’ U.S./UConn head coach Geno Auriemma said. “It’s taken a lot out of us … the committee, coaches, staff. It was probably the most difficult time that I’ve had as a coach in 35 years. When you have to say goodbye to players as committed to USA Basketball as Kara (Lawson) and Seimone (Augustus) have been, it’s very, very, very difficult. But there’s so much uncertainty in our post players position that we had to make some very difficult decisions. I think the team that was picked is a terrific team. It’s a terrific group of kids and the next nine games will give us an opportunity to prove that.’’

The 2010 FIBA World Championship will be held Thursday through Oct. 3 in Ostrava and Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic. The USA begins play against Greece Thursday at noon EST. It will meet Senegal Friday at noon and finish preliminary round play against France Saturday at 9:15 a.m.

If the U.S. finishes in the top three in its preliminary round group and advances to the second round, it will remain in Ostrava and play Sept. 27-29 against the top three Pool A finishers, which includes defending world champion Australia, Belarus, Canada and China. The medal round will be held in Karlovy Vary, with the quarterfinals scheduled for Oct. 1, the semifinals Oct. 2 and the medal games Oct. 3.

NBA TV will air every game played by the U.S. Live streaming of every game of the World Championship can be found at www.FIBATV.com.

Rich

Sara Hammond, a 6-foot-2 forward from Mount Vernon, Ky., orally committed to Big East rival Louisville during a press conference at Rockcastle County High School this morning, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal.

Hammond chose the Cardinals over UConn.

“Passing up UConn was really hard for me,’’ Hammond told The Courier-Journal. “But I had to pick a place where I knew I was going to be happy. I always dreamed of going to UConn and winning national championships. But I had to go where I felt wanted and that was Louisville. I have built a great relationship with coach (Jeff) Walz.

“When I went to Louisville, it wasn’t like the players were putting on a show. They made me feel like a part of the team. They made me feel comfortable.’’

The Huskies remain involved with Kiah Stokes, a 6-3 center from Marion, Iowa, and Betnijah Laney, a 6-0 wing from Clayton, Del. They have already received commitments from Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, a 6-0 wing from Anaheim, Calif, who is regarded as the top player in the Class of 2011, and Brianna Banks, a 5-9 guard from Newnan, Ga.

The NCAA early signing period begins November 10.

Hammond, who is ranked No. 12 by HoopGurlz, made an official visit to UConn last weekend. She averaged 15 points and 11 rebounds last season for Rockcastle County.

Rich

According to the Notre Dame schedule that was released today … The game against UConn at Gampel Pavilion Feb. 19 will start at 2 p.m.

Rich

Sara Hammond, a 6-2 forward from Mount Vernon, KY, will announce her decision during a press conference Tuesday at 10a.m., her father Eddie has confirmed.
Eddie said this morning that Sara has not yet made her decision. She is deciding between UConn and Louisville.

Rich