Written By Lauren Rub
The USA Open Women’s Basketball team had an impressive performance at Yeshurun Hall in Netanya on Sunday evening, taking down Israel 72-47.
The match-up began with a low scoring first quarter, ending only 15-6.
“It’s not the beginning of the game that matters, it’s after 40 minutes,” said head coach Sherry Levin about the team’s slow start.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules allow for a more physical style of play, which Coach Levin says can be attributed to the slow start.
“I just remember coming off a screen and getting knocked in the head… [In the] NCAA they’re gonna call that every time,” star guard Abby Meyers said about the harsher rules.
It was clear that the Americans were only warming-up, as their performance early on was not a predictor for what they would show in the remaining three quarters.
Meyers lead Maccabi USA in scoring with 21 points. Jamie Behar, Maddie Plank, Tess Sussman, and Adara Groman all scored in the double figures, each helping to secure the win for the USA.
This was the opening match for the double round robin between the US, Israel, and Australia. Maccabi USA is set to play Israel again on Monday, only a day after their initial meeting.
“We’re fine tuning, there’s no game that’s ever perfect,” said Coach Levin of the rematch. “We’re going to make adjustments depending on how they defended us.”
Don’t miss Maccabi Media’s continuous coverage of the games on Instagram @maccabiusa, Twitter @maccabiusa, and TikTok @maccabiusa.
Lauren Rub is a Miami native and recent graduate of Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science in Television, Radio, and Film. Follow her work on Instagram @maccabiusa, Twitter @maccabiusa, and TikTok @maccabiusa.