Ricketts scores six for USA

BANGKOK, Thailand — University of Arkansas’ point guard C’eira Ricketts came off the bench to score six points as the United States defeated China, 88-53, in the second game at the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championships.Ricketts was 3-of-5 from the field with two rebounds and a steal in her 12 minutes. Nnemkadi Ogwumike led all scorers with an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double for the Americans.After two games of the U19 FIBA event, Ricketts is among the tournament leaders in steals with four total, averaging two per game.In the opening game of pool play, USA fell 90-86 to Spain in a contest filled with runs by both teams. The Spaniards built a 17-point lead, 44-27, near the end of the first half. The United States closed the margin to 46-32 at halftime before taking the lead in the third.It was Ricketts who scored on a layup to give USA the lead, 61-59, at the close of the third quarter. The Americans pushed their lead to 66-62 before Spain recovered to the game with 7:32 left. From there, Spain went on a 21-1 run. Team USA rallied to within a bucket, 88-82, with seven seconds left, but Spain hit clutch free throws for the final margin.