The U.S. women's basketball team edged Italy 55-52 in a dramatic FIBA World Cup showdown in Berlin, avoiding what would have been their first loss in nearly three decades.
With under five minutes left and the score knotted at 50-48, the Americans unleashed a rapid seven-point surge, with four different players contributing baskets that swung the momentum.
Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier each added crucial points in the final minutes, illustrating the depth of a roster that shot a meager 29% from the field.
Italy’s star Cecilia Zandalasini missed a clutch three-pointer that could have tied the game, sealing the narrow victory for the United States.
A Nail-Biting Finish in Berlin
The win extended the United States’ unbeaten streak at the FIBA World Cup, a run that began after a 2006 loss to Russia and has continued since the team first captured the title in 1994.
Earlier in the tournament the Americans dispatched China 94-61, but they struggled both offensively and defensively in the opening games, a fact underscored by the presence of star-studded talents such as Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, while A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum were sidelined by health issues.
Bench players, notably Aliyah Boston, stepped up to provide vital minutes and energy, helping the Americans sustain their comeback and secure the win.
The triumph not only delivered a quarter-final berth but also signaled a shifting landscape in international women’s basketball, where traditional powerhouses are being challenged by increasingly competitive nations.