Hailey Van Lith paced the Americans in the opening 3×3 women’s basketball contest of the Paris Olympics but Germany was too strong defensively.
The defending champion U.S. women lost to Germany 17-13 on Tuesday in the opening game of pool play in 3x3 basketball at the Paris Olympics.
Hailey Van Lith led the U.S. with six points. But she was struggling after the game, and she said she believes the heat exacerbated an illness she already was dealing with.
“I think I actually have a cold,” she said. “I think it was from the rain in the opening ceremony. So, I think it’s a combination of that, but I’ll be fine. I played through it in the NCAA Tournament, so there’s nothing that’s going to take me out.”
Sonja Greinacher had five points and six rebounds for Germany. Marie Reichert added five points.
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The U.S. raced out to a 5-0 lead, but Germany scored the next six points, including three from Elisa Mevius.
Van Lith made a layup before dishing to Dearica Hamby for another basket to cut Germany’s advantage to 11-10 with about three minutes to go.
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Greinacher made a 2-point shot for Germany before another basket by Van Lith got the U.S. within one again with about 90 seconds remaining.
This time, Germany scored the next four points on two each from Greinacher and Reichert.
“It obviously gives us a lot of self-confidence going forward,” Greinacher said.
Cierra Burdick was disappointed in the team’s Olympic opener, but she said it isn’t surprising that they still have work to do since they haven’t been playing together that long. Hamby replaced Cameron Brink on the team this summer after Brink sustained a knee injury.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty,” she said. “I didn’t think it was going to be that ugly.”
Team USA takes on Azerbaijan on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. CT. You'll be able to watch it streaming or on E! The game will replay at 11:05 p.m. on NBC 5.
