Home / Sports / US Women's Basketball Edges Italy in Tense FIBA World Cup Clash
US Women's Basketball Edges Italy in Tense FIBA World Cup Clash
7 Sep
Summary
- USA narrowly defeated Italy 55-52, their closest challenge in years.
- Italy's zone defense frustrated the U.S. offense throughout the game.
- The Americans secured a crucial win despite scoring their fewest points in decades.
The U.S. women's basketball team faced a significant challenge in the FIBA World Cup, narrowly defeating Italy 55-52. This victory marked the U.S. team's closest contest in nearly two decades, with Italy's tenacious defense causing considerable difficulty for the American offense. The U.S. scored just 55 points, their lowest total in a World Cup win since 1967, underscoring Italy's effective disruption.
Despite a slow start and struggles with Italy's 2-3 zone defense, the U.S. rallied late in the game. Crucial baskets in the final minutes, including a go-ahead score by Breanna Stewart and a momentum-shifting play by Chelsea Gray, helped the Americans secure the win. Italy had a final chance to tie the game, but Cecilia Zandalasini's last-second three-pointer missed, sealing the U.S. victory.
This win extends the U.S. team's remarkable 32-game winning streak in the World Cup. The competitive nature of the match reflects a broader trend of closing gaps in women's international basketball. Italy, making its first World Cup appearance since 1994, proved to be a formidable opponent, pushing the perennial champions to their limit.
