United States takes women’s basketball bronze

The U.S. Armed Forces Women’s Basketball team is shown as they prepare for action at the 1st Conseil International du Sport Militaire World Women’s Basketball Championship in Angers, France, June 28 to July 5, 2015. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Julien Bultez)

By Armed Forces Sports

ANGERS, France (July 6, 2015) – The U.S. Armed Forces Women’s Basketball Team beat host team France, 78-41, July 4, to win a bronze medal in the first Conseil International du Sport Militaire, or CISM, Women’s World Basketball Championship.

Army Spc. Danielle Salley, Army Sgt. Kimberly Smith and Air Force Staff Sgt. Tiffanie Guthrie led the U.S. team by posting double-doubles – both scoring and rebounding in the double digits during the game in Angers, France.

The United States’ 6-foot-4 center Salley scored 12 points and brought down 13 rebounds. Guthrie posted 12 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Smith’s 11-point, 12-rebound performance.

Army Sgt. Angela Tisdale and Spc. Vanessa Lamison scored 11 and 10 points respectively, while Air Force 1st Lt. Micah Wessinger scored 10 points to round out the offensive show.

Led by Coach Army Lt. Col. William Johnson and Navy’s Tonya Strobridge, the U.S. Armed Forces Women’s Basketball team was selected from players at the 2014 Armed Forces Women’s Basketball Championship at Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 7 through 13.

TOUGH LOSS TO CHINA

The day before the bronze-medal game, the United States lost to China in the semi-finals. Despite leading 37-31 at halftime, the United States went down by one point within one minute of regulation play, July 3.

China was then able to sink four unanswered free throws to win 79-74. U.S. Army Spc. Kquanise Byrd led the U.S. effort in that game with 17 points.

China ended up taking home the silver medal after losing to Brazil by a single point. Brazil took home the gold after prevailing 87-86 in the championship.

LOOKING FORWARD

The United States began the tournament by defeating host-nation France in their opener, 71-59, followed by a dominating performance over Sri Lanka, winning 137-37. It finished with a 3-1 record overall.

Although this was the first CISM World Women’s Basketball Championship, France hosted four nations last year at the CISM Regional Championship in Meyenheim. The United States took silver behind Brazil in 2014.

The United States will host the second edition of the CISM World Women’s Basketball Championship on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 23 through 30, 2016.

The CISM World Military Games will take place in South Korea, Oct. 2 through 11. The world games take place once every four years.

To read the story on Army News Service, visit www.army.mil/article/151948.