SYDNEY — Team USA secured a hard-fought 55-52 victory against Italy in the women's FIBA World Cup on Sunday, extending their remarkable tournament win streak to 32 consecutive games. The result marked the lowest point total recorded by the U.S. squad in the competition since 1967, highlighting a challenging defensive battle.
Jackie Young paced the American offense with a team-high 10 points in a contest defined by defensive intensity. Reflecting on the struggle, U.S. head coach Kara Lawson noted, "You have to be able to win when you don't have your fastball. We didn't have a fastball tonight, but we figured it out late." Breanna Stewart added that Italy's tactical approach "mucked up the game," making scoring difficult for the favorites.
The tactical stalemate forced Team USA to rely on resiliency rather than their typical high-scoring transition game. Italy’s ability to slow the pace effectively neutralized the U.S. perimeter threats, forcing the Americans to execute in half-court sets throughout the second half. This performance serves as a reminder of the stylistic diversity present in international play.
With a 2-0 record, Team USA has already clinched a spot in the next round of the tournament. The team will look to refine their offensive rhythm before their final group stage fixture, aiming to build on the lessons learned from this narrow escape against a disciplined Italian side.