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A blog on UConn women's basketball.

Sunday, July 08, 2012

Bria Hartley to represent U.S. in 3x3 tournament

UConn rising junior Bria Hartley teamed with Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins, Chiney Ogwumike of Stanford and Maryland's Alyssa Thomas to win a 3x3 tournament Sunday at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. and earn the right to represent the U.S. at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup next month in Greece.

The quartet was put together by USA Basketball and after using Saturday to go through some practices and get acclimated to the rules in a 3x3 tournament event, they went 3-0 on Sunday. Hartley's team won two pool play games by scores of 21-5 and 21-8. They beat the team of Lori Benson, Brianna Culberson, Alisha Godette and Jordanne Kniss 21-10 in the championship game.

"It is a lot of fun playing with them rather than against them all the time so I really enjoyed it," Hartley said. "The games are a lot faster. The rules are a litle bit different so it takes some adjusting."

Of her three teammates, Hartley has squared off against Diggins the most although she admits to having known Ogwumike better than either Diggins or Thomas.

A backcourt of Diggins and Hartley has tremendous potential and Hartley enjoyed getting to play alongside of the reigning Big East Player of the Year.

Hartley is heading back to campus where she will continue to go through offseason workouts. Hartley has been impressed with what she has seen from UConn incoming freshmen Moriah Jefferson, Breanna Stewart and Morgan Tuck.

"We have some really talented freshmen that are coming in," Hartley said. "I am eager to see how they are going to do. They are all unique. Moriah coming in is a really quick guard, Breanna is one of those players who can do everything and it is exciting to have her on our team. Morgan, she comes in and gives you a lot of versatility."

The FIBA 3x3 World Cup will be held in Athens, Greece from Aug. 23-26.

Former UConn star Ann Strother was among the 28 players who took part in the competition.

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