THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, December 10, 1995 TAG: 9512100280
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JULIE GOODRICH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
Ruthie Bolton knows a thing or two about serving her country. As a first lieutenant in the Army Reserves, Bolton springs into action several times a year as a transportation specialist. But when Uncle Sam isn't calling, the U.S. women's national basketball team is.
The former Auburn standout poured in a game-high 21 points on 10 of 14 shooting as the national team defeated the Old Dominion women 97-40 Saturday night in an exhibition at the ODU field house.
``We've done some great things, but we still have a lot of work to do,'' Bolton said of her team's effort. ``We had a lot of turnovers tonight. We've come a long way but we have a long way to go.''
While 24 turnovers by the nationals might not seem great cause for concern in a game that was decided at the half, the team's main focus in these games against very overmatched college teams is good execution.
Bolton says that the national team has ``12 or 13 goals we work on and try to achieve in each game. We don't scout the other team because we're not really concerned with what they do.''
ODU put up a brave front in the first half, but the Lady Monarchs were felled by poor shooting (6 for 21) more than they were lifted by several good defensive efforts, trailing 44-14 at the break.
``We worked on a lot of things (in preparation), like defensive transition. You couldn't tell, but we worked on it,'' said ODU coach Wendy Larry.
``We had some good looks at the rim and we didn't finish, which is a problem we've been having. We're not putting the biscuit in the basket, as they say.''
Nyree Roberts scored 17 points to lead ODU, which got no scoring from its bench.
Jennifer Azzi scored 20 off the bench for the national team, and Sheryl Swoopes added 17 points, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range. Katrina McClain grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.
The U.S. team had a hot night shooting, hitting 53 percent (40 for 75) from the floor, and outrebounded the Lady Monarchs 53-30.
Bolton, who scored 12 points in the first half, warmed up for the evening by singing the national anthem with teammate Nikki McCray. One of 20 children, Bolton said that her upbringing as a reverend's daughter in Mississippi has helped her integrate into a team of 11 all-stars.
``My family was very close, and that taught me how to get along with people, to learn to share and come together,'' she said. ``I learned to like working with people.''
Upon graduating from Auburn in 1989, Bolton continued her playing career overseas, becoming the first American woman to play in Sweden (1990) and Hungary (1991). She has played in Italy for the past three seasons, averaging over 26 points.
After games against Arkansas, Purdue and Ohio State, the national team will break for the holidays. That's OK with Bolton - with 67 nieces and nephews to think about, she has quite a Christmas shopping list.
``I'm trying to get everybody something,'' she said. ``Even if it's just a hat.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN/The Virginian-Pilot
Lady Monarchs starting guard Sarah Willyerd, left, mixes it up with
U.S. national team members Rebecca Lobo and Carla McGhee, right, for
a rebound under the basket in the first period Saturday night.
by CNB