GB Women Routed in WNBA’s Europe Debut

Image: Mansoor Ahmed/NBAE via Getty Images

By Joe Pinchin | @jpincho22

Great Britain Women lost 82-51 as they took on the Atlanta Dream at the MEN Arena, Manchester on Sunday, as part of WNBA Live 2011; an occasion that marked the first time a WNBA team has played in Europe.
Atlanta’s Coco Miller poured in 21 points off 10/12 shooting whilst Great Britain were led by Kim Butler’s 12 points and 5 rebounds.

Despite the loss, GB Head Coach Tom Maher looked to take positives from the game:

“I think we are continuing to learn as a team and we have to because we can’t rely on a superstar to come and save us. I think we are at the stage now where we’re building on our offensive rebounding, defensive transition, weak-side help and they are great things to have.”

Dream Head Coach Marynell Meadors was also optimistic about Great Britain’s future:

“I’ve watched younger teams play and I’ve watched a lot of teams play on international level and I really think that Great Britain has the makings of a really good team. They play well together and I think they are going to do extremely well in the 2012 Olympics.”

GB opened the scoring through Kim Butler, however, it was Atlanta’s suffocating defence and the hot hand of Coco Miller that helped the visitors build an early lead, creating an 11 point deficit in the opening minutes of the game. Continued intensity from Atlanta’s defence led to turnovers and rushed shots from Tom Maher’s side, allowing the Dream to build a 26-12 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Azania Stewart immediately impacted the game in the second quarter, being a presence on defence and looking unfazed in the paint as GB clawed their way back to 28-17 and forced Coach Meadors to call an Atlanta timeout. Great Britain only scored a further two points in the quarter as the visitors extended their lead to 39-19 at half-time.

Despite smarter play from the home side and nice work in the paint from both Butler and Julie Page, Atlanta asserted their will on third quarter. Miller continued to create off the dribble as well as with her off the ball movement. Great Britain’s Stewart caused the WNBA side a few issues, but left the court hobbling at the end of the third, as the Dream pushed the score to 63-34.

The fourth quarter saw GB adapt to the pressure from Atlanta a little and be able to trade baskets to an extent, but they could not cut into the Dream’s lead. The combo of Butler and Page worked well in the fourth and could be a huge asset in Poland in a few weeks time.

Julie Page added 10 for GB, whilst Lindsey Harding added 11 points in her first game for the Dream.

Atlanta now head home to start their season and the Great Britain players have a much needed day of rest from games, as the coaching staff ponder the roster cuts in the run up to EuroBasket 2011.

Notes

• Jo Leedham is still to see any action for GB; she did, however, kit up and warm up for the game. Her return will surely spark success within the team but finding form in the short time before EuroBasket could be tough after being out for so long.
• Atlanta’s pressure was relentless. GB guard Stef Collins had a hard job to pick out an open GB player due to being surrounded by Dream defenders. Most of GB’s 24 turnovers came within the half court, as Atlanta’s players repeatedly jumped the passing lanes and double teamed the ball, finishing with 23 points off turnovers.
• The crowd were quiet to start the game in standard British fashion, but livened up as the game went on. Despite not being close to capacity there was a decent atmosphere in the second half.
• After leaving the court hobbling, Azania Stewart confirmed that she jarred her knee but that it was feeling alright after the game. She assured me that with a little ice and rest she’ll be set to go when the group resumes practice.
• Lindsey Harding got a few peoples ankles late in the game, just weaving in and out of the GB defence; she can really handle the basketball.
• A moments silence was held for former Polish and WNBA player Maro Dydek, an inspiration for many.

Were you at the game? See it on ESPN? What did you think?