The United States women’s basketball team edged Italy 55‑52 in a tightly contested World Cup match, extending their unbeaten streak to a remarkable 32 games.
The victory came despite a poor shooting night, with the Americans converting only 29 percent of their field‑goal attempts, the lowest tally by the U.S. in a preliminary‑round game since 1971.
Crucial Fourth‑Quarter Surge
Trailing 50‑48 with 4:29 left, the Americans sparked a decisive 7‑0 run; Stewart’s opening basket put them up 51‑50, Young followed with a layup after an offensive foul, and Gray’s jumper pushed the lead to five points before the final buzzer.
Italy’s Historic Run
Italy, making its first World Cup appearance since 1994, answered with resilience; Matilde Villa’s three‑point play brought them within three points with under a minute remaining, and captain Cecilia Zandalasini, who led the tournament with 14 points, launched a buzzer‑beating three that fell just short of a tie, while their 2‑3 zone defense had limited the U.S. offense throughout.
Other games on Sunday included China’s overtime win over the Czech Republic, Australia’s victory over Turkey, and Belgium’s triumph over Puerto Rico, setting the stage for Monday’s matchups in which Team USA faces the Czech Republic and Italy meets China.