U.S. women's basketball coach Kara Lawson expressed disappointment in her team's lack of passion and effort after a gritty 55-52 victory over Italy in the FIBA World Cup.
The Americans shot just 29 percent from the field, including a dismal 1-for-12 from three-point range, marking the lowest scoring performance by a U.S. team in a World Cup or World Championship win since 1971.
Despite the subpar offense, the win secured a quarterfinal spot and set up a showdown with Czechia in the final group match, the first major tournament under Lawson's leadership.
Six players made their senior international debuts before the tournament began, underscoring the depth of talent USA Basketball has cultivated and the challenge of integrating newcomers on the biggest stage.
Defensive Resilience and Adaptability
Lawson highlighted the importance of a strong defensive identity and the ability to adjust strategies on the fly, noting that the team's resilience in the closing moments helped seal the win.
The narrow margin and the team's capacity to grind out points despite offensive inefficiency illustrate a growing emphasis on toughness and versatility as the U.S. prepares for the knockout rounds.