US women use big third quarter to pull away from Canada 76-51 in exhibition game

Canada’s Tamara Tatham reaches up to the basket as USA’s Skylar Diggins, left, and Breanna Stewart, right, defend, during the first half of an women's exhibition basketball game, Monday, Sept. 15, 2014, in Bridgeport, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) (The Associated Press)

USA’s Breanna Stewart smiles as she follows through on a shot during warmups before a women's exhibition basketball game against Canada, Monday, Sept. 15, 2014, in Bridgeport, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill) (The Associated Press)

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Nneka Ogwumike scored 10 points to lead a balanced offense and the U.S. women's basketball team used a big run in the third quarter to beat Canada 76-51 on Monday night in an exhibition game.

The Americans led 35-31 at halftime, and then scored the first 13 points of the third. Tina Charles, who was scoreless in the first half, had seven points during the game-changing spurt. Maya Moore added a nifty reverse layup and the Americans were off and running.

By the time Katherine Plouffe, the former Marquette player, hit a layup 6:30 into the quarter to end the run, the U.S. led 48-31.

Plouffe had 14 points for Canada.