Rhyne Howard’s clutch game-winner may have just saved USA Basketball’s 3x3 team

The U.S. women’s 3x3 team — headlined by Hailey Van Lith, Rhyne Howard, Cierra Burdick, and Dearica Hamby — was on the brink of elimination yesterday. But, three consecutive wins against Spain, France, and Canada have put them right back into medal contention.

They say that basketball is a game of runs and momentum. The U.S. women’s 3x3 Olympic basketball team has embodied that unpredictability — falling behind 0-3 in pool play and on the brink of elimination, before rattling off three consecutive wins to get right back into the medal hunt.

Today was the winningest Paris Olympics day yet for the program. The team — led by Hailey Van Lith, Dearica Hamby, Rhyne Howard, and Cierra Burdick — squeaked out two close wins to improve to a 3-3 overall record — first a 14-13 win against France, then an 18-17 victory over Canada.

Against France, the Sparks’ Dearica Hamby was the hero, finishing a layup at the end of regulation to give Team USA the lead, and ultimately, the win.

Facing Canada, it was the Dream’s Rhyne Howard who sealed the deal in overtime with a step-back three (a shot worth two points in 3x3 basketball).

Howard’s game-winner came after TCU guard Hailey Van Lith sunk a deep one of her own from behind the arc, tying things up with 22 seconds left in regulation.

Howard, who struggled in the first few days of 3x3 Olympic play, has found a much-needed rhythm and is now showcasing the scoring prowess that USA Basketball hoped for when they named her to the roster. She led the way with 7 points in the win against Canada, headlined by game-winner.

While Team USA continued to endure some defensive miscommunication — and Canada picked on the undersized Van Lith’s — they managed to close out two much-needed wins to keep their medal hopes alive.

Here’s where things currently stand

Right now, Team USA is in fifth place overall in the standings — meaning they’ll move forward to the play-in round if things stand, though there’s more basketball to be played.

The top two teams in the standings automatically qualify for the semi-finals, and the next four qualify for the play-in.

1. Germany: 4-1 (Germany beat China 18-15 today)
2. Australia: 4-2 (Australia beat China 21-12 today, and then fell to Spain 21-17)
3. Canada: 3-2 (Canada fell to the United States 18-17)
4. Spain: 3-2 (Spain beat Australia 21-17 today)
5. United States: 3-3 (The U.S. beat France 14-13, then Canada 18-17)
6. China: 2-4 (China lost both games today — to Germany 18-15 and to Azerbaijan 21-19)
7. Azerbaijan: 2-4 (Azerbaijan lost to Australia 21-12 today, then beat China 21-19)
8. France: 1-4 (France lost to the U.S. 14-13 today)

Next Up

Tomorrow is the last day for 3x3 pool play, and the U.S. will face China at 1:05pm ET. A win would secure their spot in the next round. The semi-finals take place on Monday, when four teams will compete for a chance at a medal. The winner of both semi-final games will competing in the gold medal game, while the losers will face off with a bronze medal on the line.