The U.S. women built a double-digit lead in the opening quarter and expanded it before halftime, defeating Japan 73-47 on Sept. 14 at Carleton University in Ottawa.

The Americans shot 59.6 percent from the field, recorded 28 assists on 34 made field goals and received at least 10 minutes from all 12 players. They also finished with a 43-25 rebounding advantage.

FAST START

Japan scored first and the teams were tied at 4 before the U.S. put together a 16-0 run.

Lindsey Zurbrugg’s layup gave the Americans a 6-4 lead. Courtney Ryan and Rose Hollermann followed with baskets, Zurbrugg made two free throws and Ixhelt Gonzalez scored twice as the U.S. moved ahead 20-4.

Japan answered late in the quarter, trimming the margin to 24-14 by the end of the period.

For Josie Aslakson, the early lead did not change the emphasis on execution. She said the U.S. was using each possession to refine its strategy and avoid careless passes and turnovers as the tournament continued.

SECOND-QUARTER DEPTH

Bailey Moody opened the second quarter with a basket, and the U.S. continued to score through several lineup combinations.

Arelle Middleton scored three times during the period, while Becca Murray, Emily Oberst and Ryan also contributed. The Americans outscored Japan 19-6 in the quarter and entered halftime ahead 43-20.

Moody said her offensive approach depended on what Japan’s defense presented.

“I’m an outside threat, and so I’m always looking to get an open shot to take that as well,” Moody said. “But I can be a threat on the inside, so it’s reading the defense and figuring out where I can be most useful and also where I can get the ball to my teammates to get the best look.”

Hollermann finished as the U.S. scoring leader with 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting in 14:34. Middleton scored 11, Murray had 10 and Oberst added nine. Gonzalez and Zurbrugg each finished with eight.

HANDLING JAPAN’S PRESS

Japan’s defensive pressure required the U.S. to use space and movement to get through the press.

“It was an intense press,” Aslakson said. “They had a good line formed, and we definitely had to utilize each other and our speed and crossing to get through that line.”

Aslakson said spacing and chair positioning were central to the response.

“If you don’t use all the length and all the width of the court, you’re going to find yourself running into your teammates and running into the defense,” she said. “So that was a huge factor in us coming out on top today was using space.”

Moody also pointed to Japan’s willingness to apply pressure around the ball.

“Japan is a good team. They’re scrappy,” Moody said. “They’re not afraid to hit chairs, and they reach for the ball, and I think that caught us a little bit off guard today.”

SECOND-HALF ADJUSTMENTS

Japan’s Chihiro Kitada led all scorers with 24 points, but the U.S. continued adding to its margin in the third quarter.

Hollermann scored six points during the opening five minutes of the half. Gonzalez, Murray and Oberst also scored as the Americans entered the fourth with a 60-34 advantage.

Moody said Japan’s pressure forced the U.S. to make changes as the game developed.

“You’ve got to adjust on the fly, and I think we had to do that a lot this game, which is good for us moving forward to make some of those adjustments,” Moody said.

FINISHING WITH THE ROTATION

Murray, Zurbrugg, Middleton and Oberst all scored during the fourth quarter. Middleton’s basket with eight seconds remaining set the final score at 73-47.

Moody pointed to the U.S. depth and the group’s ability to stay together as the tournament continues.

“This team is a bunch of ballers, and we’re deep, and we are able to run lineups, and we are able to fight adversity, and we can overcome it, and we stay together in the process,” Moody said. “And I think a team that stays together and a team that is able to be supportive of each other is a winning team.”

Aslakson closed with a similar emphasis on the group.

“Just playing with this team is incredible,” she said. “We have a great bond on and off the court, so I’m trying to really hold on to these memories that we’re making together in Ottawa.”