USA make it 4 FIBA U19 World Championships Youth international basketball festival comes to an end in Thailand
The USA confirmed their status as best youth international basketball nation in the world by winning the 8th edition of the FIBA U19 World Championship Women in Thailand.
The USA won the title in 1997, 2005 and 2007 and made it a fourth time with a comfortable victory (87-71) against Spain.
The American captains were in impressive form in the final: Nnemkadi "Nneka" Ogwumike (left) led the attack with 22 points and also captured 20 rebounds.
Samantha Prahalis was not far behind with 21 points and was the only American to score from beyond the arc with 2-of-2.
Kelsey Bone was also in fine form offensively with 18 points. Shenise Johnson ran her heart out once again and was rewarded with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Skylar Diggens also finished with 10 points.
The USA put the game out of the reach of Spain in the first quarter with an impressive scoring rate with 15-of-18 shot going in.
Marta Xargay from Spain opened the scoring with a trey and that was the only time that Spain led.
The USA scored the next 14 points with five players getting on the score sheet. Bone was leading the way with 6 points to lead (14-3).
Spain put a temporary stop to the onslaught. When Marta Tudanca hit a trey, it appeared that Spain might come back.
However Bone had other ideas. When Prahalis hit her first trey of the game, the USA were on their way and by the end of the first period they led (33-16).
The rest of the game was evenly contested but Spain were unable to bring their deficit below 13 points. However there was nothing Spain could do to stop Ogwumike.
Leonor Rodriguez led the Spanish attack with 21 point.
Marta Xargay and Vega Gimeno finished with 12 points each while Vanessa Ble scored 11 points.
Argentina held off Canada (58-51) to win the bronze medal.
In a lively encounter Argentina took control in the third period with an 8-0 run to lead (35-27) with six minutes left to play in the third period.
Canada fell further behind by the end of the third period (32-45).
Canada made one last attempt to come back in the final quarter. They opened with an 8-0 run and with just under three minutes left the teams were level (50-50).
Canada ran out of gas and Argentina went in front for good with a three-pointer by Nayla Kraft and held on to win (58-51).
Australia had an easy victory against Russia (78-38) for fifth place. The Australians led from start to finish with Rachal Jarry leading the scoring with 19 points.
France finished in 7th place after beating Lithuania (65-56).
Marta Xargay is most valuable player
Marta Xargay has had a busy summer. She was in Poland with the Spanish U20 team that won the silver medal at the U20 European Championship Women Division A.
Two other players from Spain participated at the U20 European Championships: Cristina Ouvina and Marta Tudanca.
Xargay led the scoring for Spain with 15.4 points per game and also picked up 4.2 rebounds per match.
The selection of the MVP and all-tournament team is made by the participating coaches prior to the final day.
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The American captains were in impressive form in the final: Nnemkadi "Nneka" Ogwumike (left) led the attack with 22 points and also captured 20 rebounds. 
However Bone had other ideas. When Prahalis hit her first trey of the game, the USA were on their way and by the end of the first period they led (33-16).
Argentina held off Canada (58-51) to win the bronze medal. 
Marta Xargay has had a busy summer. She was in Poland with the Spanish U20 team that won the silver medal at the U20 European Championship Women Division A.
