CHICAGO (Sept. 23, 2022) The 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup continued its Group Phase play in Sydney, with four Chicago Sky players taking action with their respective countries: Kahleah Copper (USA), Emma Meesseman and Julie Allemand (Belgium), and Li Yueru (China).
Copper and the United States continued its Group Phase play against Puerto Rico, who dominated Bosnia-Herzegovina in a 82-58 win on Sept. 22 in its first game. In game one, Copper and Team USA pulled away in the third quarter of its opening night game against Meesseman, Allemand and Team Belgium in a 87-72 victory.
Also on Sept. 22, USA routed Puerto Rico 106-42, tallying a 2-0 overall record. Copper, who tallied 11 points and five rebounds against Belgium, recorded 16 points, four rebounds, four assists and one block against Puerto Rico in 26 minutes. Shakira Austin led the way for USA with 19 points.
Belgium continued its group play against Korea on Sept. 22 after falling to the United States in its debut game. After scoring only four points in the opening game, Meesseman scored nine points and grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds and seven assists in Belgium's 84-61 win against Korea. Allemand tallied 14 points and eight assists for Belgium. This brings Belgium its first win to an even 1-1 record.
After a win over Korea in its first game, China continued to dominate through its second game with a 98-51 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Yueru tallied 14 points and a team-high nine rebounds on the night.
United States and China are the only two teams in Group A with undefeated records so far at 2-0.
The United States will play Yueru and Team China in its third game of the Group Phase on Friday, Sept. 23, at 11:30 p.m. (local CST time), while Belgium will face off against Puerto Rico on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 5:30 a.m. (CST). Both games can be viewed live on ESPN+ and Courtside 1891. Live in-game stats can be found here: www.fiba.basketball/fibacarousel/index.html .
Follow along with all Chicago Sky players throughout the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup here: sky.wnba.com/overseas-updates-2022-23/ .