The powerhouse USA Women’s National Basketball Team just survived one of the closest scares in recent international tournament history. During Sunday’s FIBA Women’s World Cup matchup in Berlin, Team USA narrowly escaped with a 55-52 victory over a relentless Italian squad.
While the Americans successfully secured their spot in the quarterfinals, the ice-cold performance has raised immediate questions about the team's offensive chemistry.
A Historic Upset Narrowly Avoided
Early on, it looked like business as usual for the favorites. Team USA jumped out to a dominant 19-8 lead by the end of the first quarter. However, Italy refused to go away, chipping away at the lead and eventually taking a three-point advantage midway through the fourth quarter.
With seconds remaining on the clock, Italy had a final opportunity to send the game into overtime. An Italian player launched a game-tying attempt under heavy pressure—with some arguing a foul should have been called—but the ball sailed wide left. American star Breanna Stewart secured the rebound to seal the hard-fought victory.
Had Italy completed the comeback, it would have gone down as one of the most monumental upsets in FIBA Women's World Cup history. Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini was the star of the night, leading all scorers with 14 points and seven rebounds.
The Cold Shooting Struggle
The scoreboard reflected an incredibly rough offensive night for the United States. Team USA shot a dismal 29% from the field overall and an ice-cold 8% (just 1-of-12) from beyond the three-point arc.
Jackie Young was the lone bright spot on offense, leading the Americans with 10 points and standing as the only U.S. player to shoot over 40% from the field.
Most notably, superstar Caitlin Clark struggled to find her rhythm. Clark, who has been under an intense global spotlight, was held scoreless from the field and finished the game with just a single point.
What's Next for Team USA
Despite the glaring offensive struggles, the ultimate goal was achieved. With this win, Team USA improves to 2-0 in group play, officially qualifying for the quarterfinal round in Germany.
However, if the Americans hope to bring home the gold, their heavy hitters will need to find their footing quickly. The high-stakes break from the WNBA season has forced this roster to gel on the fly, and there is clearly still work to be done before the knockout stage begins.
