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Team USA Women's Basketball Stumbles in Tight Victory
7 Sep
Summary
- Team USA narrowly defeated Italy 55-52 in a low-scoring basketball match.
- US players exhibited poor shooting, hitting only 8% from three-point range.
- Coach Lawson emphasized passion and effort over scoring talent.
Team USA's dominance in international women's basketball faced a significant challenge on Sunday when Italy pushed them to a narrow 55-52 win. The American squad exhibited exceptionally poor shooting, managing only 8% from beyond the arc and a mere 29% from the field. This offensive struggle has led to concerns that the team might be overly reliant on individual talent, potentially at the expense of team chemistry, a pitfall previously seen in the men's program.
Star players like Breanna Stewart and Caitlin Clark struggled to find their rhythm, contributing to the lowest offensive output for Team USA since 1971. Despite the difficulties, Paige Bueckers highlighted the game as a valuable learning experience that will foster growth. Coach Kara Lawson expressed dissatisfaction with the team's passion and effort compared to their opponent, firmly stating that winning will require more than just innate talent, emphasizing the critical roles of effort, passion, and intensity.
The team's next challenge is against Czechia on Monday at 2:45 p.m., broadcast on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max.
