Ricketts co-leads USA in exhibition

BANGKOK, Thailand — University of Arkansas freshman C’eira Ricketts and Miami’s Shenise Johnson scored 12 points each to lead Team USA to an 86-46 win over France in pre-world championship exhibition play.Team USA dismantled the French in the friendly exhibition as a tune up for this week’s start for the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championships.Ricketts and Johnson led USA in the exhibition; the first against outside competition since breaking from the team’s training camp in Colorado Springs, Colo., and heading to the Far East.Ricketts came off the bench to hit 5-of-6 from the field and 2-of-3 from the line for her 12 points in just 19 minutes played. She was one of five Americans in double digits, with three other players scoring 11.Tournament pool play begins for Team USA on Thursday, July 23, in Bangkok against Spain.The Americans blitzed the French, 20-6, in the first quarter, and took a 44-19 lead into halftime. The USA held France to only 18.2% from the field in the first two quarters.Team USA will scrimmage against Australia tomorrow.

USA Basketball contributed to this story.