Team USA’s women paired sharp ball movement with efficient finishing and depth throughout the rotation in a 102-29 win over Algeria on Sept. 12 at TD Place in Ottawa. The U.S. established control with a 30-8 first quarter and finished the game shooting 75.4 percent from the field, with 37 assists on 46 made baskets and just four turnovers as nine players contributed to the scoring.

FAST START

Algeria briefly moved ahead 5-4 with 8:46 left in the opening quarter, but that was the last time the U.S. trailed. Team USA answered with a 26-3 run over the remainder of the period, with Rose Hollermann and Lindsey Zurbrugg setting the early scoring pace. Hollermann scored repeatedly around the basket, while Zurbrugg added layups and a driving finish as the U.S. turned the one-point deficit into a 30-8 advantage by the end of the quarter.

Hollermann scored 14 of her 16 points in the opening period, making seven field goals. Zurbrugg also had eight first-quarter points as the U.S. quickly established its advantage before changing combinations late in the quarter.

SECOND-QUARTER DEPTH

The U.S. continued to rotate through its roster in the second quarter. Josie Aslakson, Arelle Middleton, Zurbrugg and Bailey Moody entered together with 6:56 remaining, joining Becca Murray as Team USA shifted to another lineup.

Middleton quickly supplied scoring. She made a layup and two floating jump shots during the quarter and helped Team USA extend the lead to 53-12 by halftime. The U.S. outscored Algeria 23-4 in the second period.

Middleton finished as the U.S. scoring leader with 21 points in 16:13, making 9 of 11 field-goal attempts.

After the game, Middleton spoke about what she has gained from playing alongside the experienced roster.

“I’m just excited to learn,” Middleton said. “I think I’m playing with some of the best women in the world. And I think they’ve helped me grow a lot, especially the veterans on the team.”

CONTROL AFTER HALFTIME

Team USA opened the third quarter with three consecutive baskets, including two from Zurbrugg, to push the score to 59-12. The U.S. later forced consecutive Khemgani turnovers that led to steals by Ixhelt Gonzalez and Zurbrugg during another stretch of defensive pressure.

The lead reached 78-20 by the end of the third quarter. Team USA then added 24 points in the fourth to reach the 100-point mark on Middleton’s driving layup with 1:58 remaining.

Zurbrugg finished with 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting and added a team-high 11 assists. Hollermann went 8-for-8 from the field for 16 points, Moody scored 14, and Zoe Voris finished with 10. Becca Murray added eight points and six assists.

The overall offensive numbers reflected the balance. Team USA made 46 of 61 field-goal attempts, including 46 of 60 two-point attempts, and recorded 37 assists. The U.S. also held a 47-20 advantage in total rebounds while committing four turnovers.

BUILDING TOWARD ELIMINATION PLAY

All 12 U.S. players saw court time, with nine reaching the scoring column. Moody said the experienced roster has embraced the opportunity to share minutes while continuing to prepare for the more consequential stages of the tournament.

“This team is really, really cool because we don’t have anybody that hasn’t been to a Paralympics before,” Moody said. “We’re all sharing playing time.”

Moody said the focus inside the team remains on continued improvement rather than the margins of the early results.

“We haven’t peaked yet,” Moody said. “We’re still building.”

That approach extends to training. Moody said the veteran group continues to push one another between games, adding that the intensity in practice has helped prepare the team for competition.

With the preliminary portion of the tournament moving forward, Moody said the U.S. is looking toward its matchup with the Netherlands and the elimination rounds that follow.

“We’re excited looking towards playing the Dutch,” Moody said. “I think it’ll be a good game, and so it’s nice to get another crack at them.”