Toulouse, France----The 2010 USA Women’s U17 World Championship Team capped its undefeated tournament with a 92-62 win over host France in front of a raucous crowd in the tournament’s gold-medal game Sunday. The USA (8-0 overall) had previously beaten the home team (5-3 overall) in its opening game of preliminary play in Rodez, France on July 16.

“We knew France would come out and play hard,” USA U17 and Wingate University head coach Barbara Nelson says. “They had all the energy of playing at home…because we had already beaten them, they could play very loose and just go for it. I’m proud of the intensity that we matched. I’m excited for the girls that we won.”

For the fifth time in the eight-game tournament, all 12 U.S. players scored. Ariel Massengale (Bolingbrook, Ill.) led the way with 20 points and six assists. Kaleena Lewis (Anaheim, Calif.) added 15 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Elizabeth Williams (Virginia Beach, Va.) contributed 15 points, five rebounds and three blocks.

“Words cannot explain how I feel,” Massengale says. “It’s a great honor. We are all blessed to have had this opportunity.”

For more information, visit the USA Basketball web site:

http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/u17/