LOS ANGELES (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - In the build-up to the Rio Games, the reigning Olympics champions U.S needed to step up later in the game to avoid defeat against a US Select Team on Monday in Los Angeles.

Although the U.S prevailed 88-84, Natasha Howard and Jewell Loyd provided what three-time Olympian Sue Bird described as a necessary challenge.

Howard hit a trio of three-pointers that gave the Select Team a 78-76 lead with 3:39 minutes remaining, but it was a matter of time as Breanna Stewart tied the contest with a minute left before Maya Moore decided the contest.

"We’ve only had a couple practices together, so it was really good to be challenged in that way by the Select Team. It really showed what we’re going to need to work on and the level that we have to play at moving forward," Bird said.

Although Howard led all scorers with 24 points, Lloyd, who shone for the U.S at the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women, added 20 points and a game-best seven assists.

USA Select Team

Moore and Elena Delle Donne had 11 points apiece to lead Geno Auriemma's team.

"We need the challenges. We need to look at different combinations and figure out what works for us and what doesn’t," Auriemma said.

"For us, in the two days, we’ve been together, we did a lot of really good things and we’re going to get better and better every day. And for the future of USA Basketball, there were some unbelievably positive signs out there of what the next group could potentially look like. It was a good day, I think, all the way around."

The game comes a day before the U.S open a four-nation against Australia, Canada and France.

FIBA