The “Libs Abroad Weekly Roundup” recaps performances by Liberty players currently competing internationally throughout the 2021-22 overseas season. This week, eight members of the New York Liberty organization spanning four countries are competing in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournaments from February 10 to 13.
The top three teams in each of the four tournament groups will advance to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 from September 22 to October 1 in Australia.
Last week, national teams held their respective training camps prior to the Qualifying Tournaments. Team USA’s training camp in Washington, D.C. featured four members of the Liberty including Stefanie Dolson, Natasha Howard, Sabrina Ionescu and Betnijah Laney.
New York Liberty and Australian Women’s National Team head coach, Sandy Brondello, enjoyed a strong start to the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers yesterday. Brondello and the Opals commenced Australia’s three-game slate in Serbia with a 65-52 win over Brazil.
Australia will return to action on Saturday, February 12 against Serbia at 6:30 pm ET. The game will be livestreamed on YouTube here.
The Opals, who will host the 2022 FIBA World Cup Tournament, automatically qualify for the World Cup. They will conclude their Group A schedule with a Sunday morning matchup against Korea.
Less than a week after re-signing with the Liberty, Bec Allen led Australia to victory behind a game-high 16-point outing. In nearly 30 minutes of action, Allen converted on three of eight 37.5% (3-8) shooting from three, swiped six steals, dished three assists, and grabbed a pair of rebounds.
Opals captain Sami Whitcomb also played a large role in Australia’s 65-52 defeat of Brazil. Whitcomb finished the contest in double figures with 11 points on 44.4% (4-9) shooting from the field, while recording four assists and four steals across 29 minutes.
Han Xu and the Chinese Women’s National Team began their Qualifying Tournament in Serbia’s Group B with a stellar showing, defeating Nigeria 90-76. Han totaled 15 points and three rebounds, knocked down her first seven shots in a row, and finished on 77.8% from the field in 18 minutes.
The 22-year-old center recorded two points and three boards this morning in China’s 84-64 win over Mail.
China (2-0) will conclude their trio of games on Sunday, February 13 against France.
Marine Johannès’ offensive output and facilitating helped France secure a 77-66 victory over Mali as they began tournament play on Thursday in Serbia. Johannès tallied 11 points and dished three assists while converting on 50.0% (4-8) of her shots and 42.9% (3-7) of her three-point attempts.
Earlier today, Marine led France in scoring with 18 points on seven for 15 (46.7%) shooting from the field, including three triples for the second consecutive game.
France, who fell to Nigeria in a one-score game, 65-67, will return to action on Sunday against undefeated China.
Marine Fauthoux, the Liberty’s No. 29 overall selection in the 2021 WNBA Draft, also recorded a trio of assists in Thursday’s win over Mali.
In the second leg of France’s back-to-back, Fauthoux added five points, four assists and three rebounds in 22 minutes. Although France was unable to complete their comeback, Marine hit a clutch game-tying three-pointer at the 2:04 minute mark in the fourth quarter to even the contest at 62 points apiece.
Newly signed Liberty center, 2021 WNBA Champion, and 2020 Olympic gold medalist, Stefanie Dolson, will gear up for a pair of games against Belgium and Puerto Rico as a member of Team USA.
The United States, whose gold medal finish last summer automatically punched their ticket to the 2022 FIBA World Cup, will take on Belgium tonight at 6:30 pm ET. The game is available on YouTube here.
Tomorrow afternoon, Team USA will matchup against Puerto Rico at 4:30 pm ET. That game is also available on YouTube here.
After an MVP-caliber January performance with Dynamo Kursk, Natasha Howard will begin February representing USA Basketball in the 2022 Qualifying Tournaments.
Over the two-game slate in the nation’s capital, Howard and Dolson, who are both eight-year WNBA veterans and Champions, could see some valuable minutes together as the Liberty’s newest frontcourt duo.
Both of Team USA’s games will be broadcasted on youtube.com/fiba.