USF Athletics

Laksa, Latvia Fall to China 64-61 in FIBA World Cup

September 22, 2018

Box Score
FIBA World Cup Schedule
FIBA Latvia Roster
Laksa's FIBA Profile       
 
TENERIFE, Spain, Sept 22, 2018 –Senior USF women's basketball player Kitija Laksa from Riga, Latvia, played with her home country of Latvia in the opening contest of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup against China on Saturday morning, where Latvia fell 64-61 in the first game of the group stage. 

Laksa contributed seven points in 25-and-a-half minutes, while pulling down three rebounds, and adding an assist on the day. Latvia was paced by Laksa's teammate Anete Steinberga with 16 points. 
 
China led Latvia 64-58 with 1:15 to go in the fourth quarter when Laksa came off the bench to help Latvia in the final minute. Teammate Elina Dikaioulaku got Latvia within one after making a layup and one-of-two free throws. Laksa attemped a jumper with just three seconds to go, but the shot didn't fall and China dropped in a pair of free throws to close the 64-61 game. 
 
Every four years, the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup brings together the 16 best teams from across FIBA's four regions, Africa, Americas, Asia and Europe. This will be the 18^thWorld Cup and is regarded as the biggest international women's basketball competition. 
 
This is the first time in Latvia's history the European country has qualified for the World Cup, after finishing in sixth place at the EuroBasket in 2017. Laksa hopes to help her country make history by winning its first World Cup game in 2018. 
 
On Sunday Sept. 23, Laksa and Latvia will take on Senegal at 9 a.m. ET. Latvia will round out group play when it takes on USA at 1 p.m. ET. Laks will look to take on the 12-woman roster for USA, which features 12 current WNBA players including Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne, and Sue Bird. Should Latvia qualify out of Group D, they will compete Wednesday Sept. 26. 
 
The games will be broadcast live on LiveBasketball.TV. 
 
Noting Kitija Laksa 
With USF, Laksa broke the junior scoring record with 717 points in her junior season. She set two NCAA records in 2017-18, including free-throw percentage with 96.5 percent efficiency, and consecutive three-pointers made in a game with 11 on Dec. 15, 2017. The Riga, Latvia native averaged 21.1 points per game on the year and returns in 2018-19 as the Bulls' leading scorer for her senior season. 
 
Laksa currently ranks sixth in program history on the all-time scoring list, amassing 1,715 points in her career. She will chase the all-time scoring record at USF in 2018-19, currently held by Jessica Dickson (2003-07) with 2,402 points. 
 
About USF Women's Basketball
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USF notched its sixth consecutive 20-win season and fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017-18. It marked the ninth 20-win season in program history, with head coach Jose Fernandez at the helm for all nine. The Bulls posted 26 wins in 2017-18, just shy of the program record of 27 set in 2008-09 and 2014-15. 
 
USF has made 14 postseason tournament appearances and had six NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez's 18 seasons. The all-time winningestcoach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to nine 20-win seasons, two WNITfinal four appearances, the 2009 WNITchampionship and won more than 300 games.
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