USF Athletics

Laksa, Latvia Drop Heartbreaker to Senegal, 70-69

September 23, 2018

Box Score
FIBA World Cup Schedule
FIBA Latvia Roster
Laksa's FIBA Profile       
 
TENERIFE, Spain, Sept 23, 2018 –Senior USF women's basketball player Kitija Laksa from Riga, Latvia, played with her home country of Latvia against Senegal on Sunday morning in the group stage of the FIBA Women's World Cup, where Latvia dropped a last-second heartbreaker to Senegal, 70-69. 
 
Laksa contributed 12 points in almost 24 minutes of action to Latvia, all coming from beyond the arc. Latvia led Senegal at each quarter break, but similar to yesterday's game against China, Latvia could not find the win in the final minute. 
 
Of Laksa's four threes, one came in the final minute of action (assisted by Elina Dikaioulaku), giving Latvia the 67-66 advantage with 51 seconds remaining. Senegal's Yacine Diop hit a jumper before Latvia's Aija Brumermane made a layup, giving Latvia a one-point edge (69-68) with 27 seconds to go. 
 
Senegal took a timeout, and executed a jumpshot with 12 seconds on the clock, enough for Senegal to regain the lead, 70-69. Latvia's Dikaioulaku was able to get off a three-point jumper with two seconds remaining, but the shot didn't fall and Latvia fell to Senegal, 70-69. 
 
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. If Latvia were to qualify out of Group D, they would compete Wednesday Sept. 26. 
 
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. 
 
The games will be broadcast live on LiveBasketball.TV. 
 
About 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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