By Shawn McCullough

LAS VEGAS–The USA Basketball Women’s National Team fell in their first exhibition game against the WNBA All-Stars, 93-85, at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay.

Team USA was led by Phoenix center Brittney Griner who scored 17 points, while Seattle forward Breanna Stewart added 15.

Aces forward A’ja Wilson scored eight points and pulled down five rebounds.

“Yes, it was an All-Star Game, but we are going to be competitive and compete,” said Wilson. “It’s legit.”

Aces guard Chelsea Gray played almost 18 minutes and scored eight points.

“It was a level up and it felt good,” said Gray about the All-Star Game.

Team USA will play two more exhibition games before heading to Tokyo for the Olympics, Australia on Friday and Nigeria on Sunday.

“The biggest thing is defense and that comes from chemistry,” said Wilson on preparing for the Olympics. “We have a small amount of time to get to know each other, but we’ll get there.”

“We just try to get better and communication will be key,” said Gray.