Hailey Van Lith, USA 3x3 Basketball Fall to 0-2 with Loss: Updated Olympic Standings
The United States might be the preeminent power on the hardwood, but it's a much different story in the 3x3 game.
Team USA is off to an 0-2 start in the women's tournament following a 20-17 loss to Azerbaijan. With 30 points scored through two games, the U.S. is sitting in last place in the eight-team field.
Women's 3x3 Standings
- Canada: 2-0, 42 PTS
- Spain: 2-0, 35 PTS
- Australia: 1-1, 35 PTS
- Germany: 1-1, 36 PTS
- Azerbaijan: 1-1, 36 PTS
- China: 1-1, 32 PTS
- France: 0-2, 31 PTS
- United States: 0-2, 30 PTS
A defensive breakdown allowed Tiffany Hayes to put Azerbaijan ahead in the final seconds of the game, and Alexandra Mollenhauer knocked down a pair of free throws to seal the outcome.
Hayes was the standout performer, finishing with a game-high 11 points along with seven rebounds. Team USA will have wished the Las Vegas Aces guard stayed retired from basketball.
For Hailey Van Lith, this was a game to forget in multiple ways. She shot 2-of-7 from inside the arc and 1-of-4 from the perimeter en route to a five-point night. And on defense, she had her hands full with the much more experienced Hayes.
Rhyne Howard also had just one more for the second straight outing.
Van Lith said after the game the United States is "in survival mode now" for the rest of the tournament.
There's still time for Team USA to turn things around. It has five games over the next three days to close out the group stage, and six of the eight teams advance to the knockout rounds. At the very least, earning a play-in berth remains attainable.
A pair of matchups with Australia and Spain on Thursday allow for the U.S. to put its first two defeats in the rear-view mirror if it can improve its record to 2-2.
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