dpKara Lawson: “The teams that have a resilient mindset are the ones that win”
Italy’s defence, buoyed by a partisan and passionate crowd in Berlin, held the USA to the dynasty’s lowest-ever shooting percentage from the floor (29 per cent), and their worst World Cup outing shooting from the field (28.6 per cent).
The last time the USA had won by a single-digit difference was back in 2010 against Australia, who came within eight points; the last time the USA won by a margin as narrow as three was in 1979.
“(The odds) say we won’t shoot 29% in the paint again,” head coach Kara Lawson reflected to the media, including Olympics.com.
“My takeaway is that even if we do, we have enough to win; we’re tough enough to win either way.
“You have to be honest with yourself as an individual and as a team when you have a performance that is below your level. I know our history is so accomplished at our federation; I know all the expectation is for us to win. But it is hard to win a World Cup.
“You have to be able to win in different ways because every team plays stylistically different. Italy played with great force and passion, and controlled the game for large parts.
“The World Cup is supposed to be challenging, and we’re supposed to have moments where we’re not at our best. The teams that can persevere and have a resilient mindset are the ones that are able to win. That’s what makes it so satisfying at the end.
“Every game is information for us. Every time you get exposed in certain ways, you can look back and improve. We’ll grow from it.”
