s incredible talent to make shots, even bad shots, Wright sai

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Its been an impressive start to the Rio Games for the three Olympic rookies on the U.S. womens basketball team.Elena Delle Donne, Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner have all had stretches when they have taken over games as the U.S. has won its first two contests in dominating fashion. There probably isnt another country that could have the reigning WNBA MVP coming off the bench, but thats the role Delle Donne has played so far. She actually enjoys it.Were so deep and thats one of our many strengths, and I kind of like coming in off the bench, said the 6-foot-5 star, who is averaging 11.5 points. I like being able to watch the game a little bit, kind of watch from the bench, let it come to me and get out there and provide the spark.While this is Delle Donnes first major tournament experience with the U.S., Griner and Stewart played for coach Geno Auriemma in the world championship in 2014.Griner was big at the worlds, earning all-tournament honors. Shes given the U.S. a strong presence inside as neither Senegal nor Spain attempted to score much in the paint with her in the game. The 6-8 center acknowledged it took a few minutes for her to get comfortable on the court, but once she got her feet wet, she was ready.Once I got about five minutes into the game, basketball just kind of takes over, Griner said. I dont want to say it turns into just another game, but it turns into just basketball. Youre out there playing, you know what to do.Stewart may be a rookie to the Olympics, but she certainly isnt to USA Basketball. The 21-year-old has played in the fifth most games for the U.S. of anyone on the Olympic team. Shes won five gold medals at the junior level as well as one at the world championship. She has a chance to win many more over the next decade.Shes a newcomer to the Olympics, but certainly not to international basketball, coach Geno Auriemma said. Nearly everywhere shes played shes won.Stewart scored 15 points in her Olympic debut and has made seven of her eight shots in the two games. The four-time NCAA champion leads the U.S. with 12 free throw attempts.They could be starting on this team, theres no question about it, point guard Sue Bird of Olympic rookie teammates. Their youth and I guess their lack of international experience is the one area but that will come with time. Theyre playing so well and thats why. ... When Stewie and Elena come in, theyre like top five in the WNBA in scoring. When they come in it just keeps rolling.Next up for the Americans is Serbia on Wednesday. The U.S. took Tuesday off after playing back-to-back days.While there will most likely be a huge roster turnover before the next Olympics with potentially half of this team retired by 2020, the young trio is a strong foundation to build on.They definitely are the future of this team, Diana Taurasi said. 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David Long Womens Jersey .In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan told The Associated Press in an email interview. Every day Im flooded with messages from Indians all over the world telling me they are supporting me. PHILADELPHIA -- The defending national champions are now the top team in the country.The Villanova Wildcats moved from No. 2 to No. 1 this week, and they will continue their quest toward a Big 5 title with a matchup against city rival La Salle on Tuesday night at the Palestra.Villanova improved to 8-0 with a resounding 88-57 victory over Saint Josephs on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats can move to 3-0 in the Big 5 this season with a victory over the Explorers.Overall, Villanova owns a record 16 consecutive Big 5 wins.Thanks to Kentuckys home loss to UCLA, Villanova was elevated to No. 1 on Monday afternoon. Villanova was at No. 1 for three weeks last February on its way to winning the second national championship in program history.Senior Josh Hart proved his mettle as a National Player of the Year candidate with a triple-double against the Hawks, the first for the program since Harold Pressley accomplished the feat in January 1986 at Providence. Hart had 16 points, 11 rebounds and a career-best 10 assists, giving him 19 assists in the past two games.Im not sure whats gotten into me, Hart said. I just love seeing my teammates score. This is probably the only time Coach (Jay Wright) has had to tell me to be more aggressive. My mindset today was to be aggressive, and everything else took care of itself. I have to attribute that to my teammates.Wright gushed when asked about one of his senior leaders.Josh is just so complete in every way, Wright said. He is the best competitor out there. Hes one of the best shooters on the team, one of the best finishers in the country and hes a great decision-maker. And hes ouur best defensive player.dddddddddddd.Villanova senior forward Kris Jenkins also stayed hot with a team-high 20 points vs. Saint Josephs. Some of his shots were quite difficult with a defender draped all over him.Kris Jenkins just has incredible talent to make shots, even bad shots, Wright said. Its a weapon we have to be careful with.La Salle (4-2) started slowly this season but has since won three in a row. Its most recent performance was an 83-73 victory over Bucknell on Saturday. B.J. Johnson, a Syracuse transfer, scored 22 points and Jordan Price scored 20 points.The Explorers defense was solid, holding the Bison to 29 points and just 39.1 percent shooting in the second half.I thought the second half was the best weve played this year, La Salle coach John Giannini said. We held a terrific offensive team to 39 percent from the field, and we only had three turnovers in the second half until we got a couple odd late offensive fouls. I think our players did exactly what they had to do to win the game against a team thats won at Vanderbilt, won four in a row, beat Richmond. Thats a really good team.La Salle last defeated Villanova on Nov. 25, 2012, a 77-74 decision. The Explorers are 0-4 against Villanova at the Palestra since 1999.There will be a ceremony to retire the No. 20 jersey of former Explorer Larry Cannon at halftime. A second team All-American as a senior in 1968-69, Cannon guided the Explorers to a 23-1 record and a No. 2 national ranking behind national champion UCLA. ' ' '