GB WOMEN LOSE TO USA
07/03/2009

Captain Chantelle Handy (pictured) insists her side have taken more positives than negatives out of their 93-59 loss to USA at the World University Games.


USA are the firm favourites to win the title in Belgrade and in their opening group game they thumped France 115-30, however, following their shock win against hosts Serbia on Wednesday Britain were understandably buoyant going into the game.

Johannah Leedham again led the scores with 17 points, Handy added 10 and Johannah's older sister Jennifer made eight.

"We played well. We came out of the second half a lot better than the first and did better than expected. We just went in knowing we had to win possession and had to improve from the last game," said 22-year-old Handy from Consett.

"It didn't matter who they were, we had to play and we definitely didn't play scared. In the third quarter we came out strong. The best thing is that we showed that we can compete with this level of play.

"We had a better second half in yesterday's game as well. At the moment we seem to take a while getting into the groove of things so we need to learn to develop and start better.

"I think we need to come out and be ready, not feel it out in the first few minutes, you can't do that at this level."

France play Serbia in the second group game today, a loss for France would leave the group wide open, however Handy says Britain are only thinking about one result in their final group game tomorrow, at 8pm local time.

"We watched France play USA yesterday and we have a good shot, especially if we play like we played today. We just have to keep winning possession and improving."