USA takes CISM Women's Basketball bronze in 4th of July performance

ANGERS, France (July 6, 2015) -- The U.S. Armed Forces Women's Basketball Team beat host team France, 78-41, on July 4 to win a bronze medal in the first Conseil International du Sport Militaire or CISM Women’s World Basketball Championship.

Army Spc. Danielle Salley, Army Sgt. Kimberly Smith and Air Force Staff Sgt. Tiffanie Guthrie led the U.S. team by posting double-doubles -- both scoring and rebounding in the double digits during the game in Angers, France.

USA's 6-foot-4 center Salley scored 12 points and brought down 13 rebounds. Guthrie posted 12 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Smith’s 11-point, 12-rebound performance.

Army Sgt. Angela Tisdale and Spc. Vanessa Lamison scored 11 and 10 points respectively, while Air Force 1st Lt. Micah Wessinger scored 10 points to round out the offensive show.

Led by Coach Army Lt. Col. William Johnson and Navy’s Tonya Strobridge, the U.S. Armed Forces Women’s Basketball team was selected from players at the 2014 Armed Forces Women’s Basketball Championship at Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 7-13.

TOUGH LOSS TO CHINA

The day before the bronze-medal game, USA lost to China in the semi-finals. Despite leading 37-31 at halftime, USA went down by one point within one minute of regulation play July 3.

China was then able to sink four unanswered free throws to win 79-74. U.S. Army Spc. Kquanise Byrd led the U.S. effort in that game with 17 points.

China ended up taking home the silver medal after losing to Brazil by a single point. Brazil took home the gold after prevailing 87-86 in the championship.

LOOKING FORWARD

USA began the tournament by defeating host nation France in their opener, 71-59, followed by a dominating performance over Sri Lanka, winning 137-37. USA finished with a 3-1 record overall.

Although this was the first CISM World Women’s Basketball Championship, France hosted four nations last year at the CISM Regional Championship in Meyenheim. The U.S. took silver behind Brazil in 2014.

USA will host the second edition of the CISM World Women’s Basketball Championship at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, July 23-30, 2016.

The CISM World Military Summer Games featuring different sports, will take place in Korea , Oct. 2-11. The world games take place every four years.

Complete roster:
#2 1st Lt. Micah Wessinger, USAF - Shaw Air Force Base, S.C. #
3 Spc. Vanessa Lamison, Army - Fort Bliss, Texas
#4 Spc. Kquanise Byrd, Army - Fort Bragg, N.C.
#5 Sgt. Angela Tisdale, Army - Fort Campbell, Ky.
#6 Seaman Courtney Jackson, Navy - USS John C. Stennis CVN 74
#7 Senior Airman Cinnamon Kava, USAF - Travis Air Force Base, Calif.
#9 Lt. Angela Myers, Navy - Washington Navy Yard, D.C.
#11 Sgt Kimberly Smith, Army - Fort Riley, Kan.
#12 Airman 1st Class Tiara Cook, USAF - Aviano Air Base, Italy
#13 Spc. Danielle Carpenter, Army - Fort Campbell, Ky.
#14 Spc. Danielle Salley, Army - Fort Bragg, N.C.
#16 Staff Sgt. Tiffanie Guthrie, USAF - JB Elmendorf-Richardson AK
Coach – Lt. Col. William Johnson, Army - Fort Sill, Okla.
Asst. Coach - Ms. Tonya Strobridge, Navy - Millington, Tenn.
Team Captain - Ms. Claudia Berwager, Army - Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.
Physician – Capt. Soyeun Chu, Army - Fort Carson, Colo.
Chief of Mission Lt. Col. Debra Nelissen, Army - Wiesbaden, Germany

Click here for complete Championship results

Click here for photos