Team USA’s win vs. Italy in FIBA Women’s World Cup marks wild first in 16 years

Team USA advanced to the quarterfinals of the FIBA Women’s World Cup after escaping Italy, 55-52, at Berlin Arena in Germany on Sunday.

Jackie Young was the only player to score in double digits for the four-time defending champions with 10 points. Angel Reese had eight points, while Paige Bueckers added seven points. Caitlin Clark went 0-of-6 from the field.

Team USA almost blew a 12-point lead. Italy proved to be a tough challenger with its relentless defense, as pointed out by ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.

“Another tidbit off today’s game: USA’s three-point win over Italy marked its smallest margin of victory in the World Cup since 1979. It’s also USA’s first World Cup game decided by single digits since 2010 (a win over Australia),” wrote Philippou on X.

Moreover, Team USA’s 55 points were their lowest output since the introduction of the three-point line in the tournament in 1984.

Italy had a chance to send the game into overtime, but Cecilia Zandalasini missed her attempt from long distance. She finished with a game-high 14 points.

Team USA coach Kara Lawson acknowledged that they survived a big scare, tipping her hat to Italy.

“I think this is the most challenging World Cup to win of anyone before, because of how good everyone is. There’s much more depth to the rosters at the World Cup. There are players who can come off the bench and change games, and we saw that with Italy tonight. We’ve seen that through the tournament. Every game feels like a dogfight,” said Lawson in a report from FIBA.

Team USA, which improved to 2-0, will face the Czech Republic on Monday.

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