SPILIMBERGO, Italy (July 19, 2017) – Texas A&M incoming freshman Chennedy Carter (Arlington, Texas) just missed a double-double after finishing with 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists, helping the 2017 USA Women's U19 World Cup Team (3-0) to a 64-56 victory over Latvia (1-2) and the 2017 Refrion Cup title on Wednesday night in Spilimbergo, Italy.
Â
Ruthy Hebard (Oregon/Fairbanks, Alaska) recorded a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, including four points and a pair of boards in the final minutes. Tyasha Harris (South Carolina/Noblesville, Ind.) contributed 14 points, four assists and three steals.
Â
In the final game of the U19 warm-up tournament, Spain (2-1) ran past host Italy (0-3) 60-46. Spain finished in second place, Latvia in third and Italy rounded out the standings.
Â
 "We are seeing some good things, and we are still getting a lot of good looks," said USA U19 and University of Pittsburgh head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio. "We are just not finishing. I think we struggled to finish - you know, we played three games in three days, and I think this was just an adjustment for our players to get used to this international style.
Â
"They play in the college game where it's hands off the ball handler, and on drives. But, as soon as we put the ball on the floor or as soon as we are handling the basketball, there is physicality happening. There's an arm bar, there's hands on. You look at how physical they are in the post, and I'm really believing that this has been an adjustment for us. We played against men before coming over here in order to get ready, and they were quick and athletic. Now, you are playing against these international teams that have so much experience."
Â
Heading into the fourth quarter up 46-38, Hebard strung together a 5-0 run with a jumper and a traditional 3-point play, giving the USA some breathing room, 51-38, with 9:23 to play.
Â
"I struggled at the beginning to make shots, and that frustrated me," said Hebard. "Helping the team by making shots at the end of the game was a big lift for me and the team, so I just tried to do that."
Â
However, just when the Americans began to pull away, the tide turned in Latvia's favor. Forcing the USA into shooting 1-of-6 from the field and a pair of turnovers, Latvia outscored the U.S. 15-3 over the next 5:11 and came within a point of the lead, 54-53.
Â
"They got the ball to their primary player - (Mara) Mote - and I give her credit. She is a great player," said Harris on Latvia's late surge. "She took control of the game, and she took advantage of us going below screens. She would pull up for the 3, and that's what helped them get back into the game."
Â
Struggling offensively for the second game in a row, the USA looked to its defense, which came on strong and turned the tables on its European opponent. Forcing Latvia into shooting 1-of-6 and two turnovers over the final 3:45 of the game, the USA got a pair of key steals from Harris as four different players scored in the red, white and blue's final 10-3 run.
Â
"She was huge," said Crystal Dangerfield (Connecticut/Murfreesboro, Tenn.) on Hebard's play down the stretch. "We were able to get the ball inside to her and she finished them. She was able to get some and-1s. She was rebounding well, too."
Â
Ruthy Hebard (Oregon/Fairbanks, Alaska) recorded a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, including four points and a pair of boards in the final minutes. Tyasha Harris (South Carolina/Noblesville, Ind.) contributed 14 points, four assists and three steals.
Â
In the final game of the U19 warm-up tournament, Spain (2-1) ran past host Italy (0-3) 60-46. Spain finished in second place, Latvia in third and Italy rounded out the standings.
Â
 "We are seeing some good things, and we are still getting a lot of good looks," said USA U19 and University of Pittsburgh head coach Suzie McConnell-Serio. "We are just not finishing. I think we struggled to finish - you know, we played three games in three days, and I think this was just an adjustment for our players to get used to this international style.
Â
"They play in the college game where it's hands off the ball handler, and on drives. But, as soon as we put the ball on the floor or as soon as we are handling the basketball, there is physicality happening. There's an arm bar, there's hands on. You look at how physical they are in the post, and I'm really believing that this has been an adjustment for us. We played against men before coming over here in order to get ready, and they were quick and athletic. Now, you are playing against these international teams that have so much experience."
Â
Heading into the fourth quarter up 46-38, Hebard strung together a 5-0 run with a jumper and a traditional 3-point play, giving the USA some breathing room, 51-38, with 9:23 to play.
Â
"I struggled at the beginning to make shots, and that frustrated me," said Hebard. "Helping the team by making shots at the end of the game was a big lift for me and the team, so I just tried to do that."
Â
However, just when the Americans began to pull away, the tide turned in Latvia's favor. Forcing the USA into shooting 1-of-6 from the field and a pair of turnovers, Latvia outscored the U.S. 15-3 over the next 5:11 and came within a point of the lead, 54-53.
Â
"They got the ball to their primary player - (Mara) Mote - and I give her credit. She is a great player," said Harris on Latvia's late surge. "She took control of the game, and she took advantage of us going below screens. She would pull up for the 3, and that's what helped them get back into the game."
Â
Struggling offensively for the second game in a row, the USA looked to its defense, which came on strong and turned the tables on its European opponent. Forcing Latvia into shooting 1-of-6 and two turnovers over the final 3:45 of the game, the USA got a pair of key steals from Harris as four different players scored in the red, white and blue's final 10-3 run.
Â
"She was huge," said Crystal Dangerfield (Connecticut/Murfreesboro, Tenn.) on Hebard's play down the stretch. "We were able to get the ball inside to her and she finished them. She was able to get some and-1s. She was rebounding well, too."