World Cup Quarterfinals
Team USA advances to quarterfinals despite historic shooting struggles in World Cup win.
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Key Points
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Team USA advanced to the quarterfinals with its 32nd consecutive World Cup victory, but its 55 points marked its lowest scoring total in the tournament since 1967.
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The Americans struggled significantly from the field, shooting 16-for-56 overall and just 1-for-12 from three-point range; Kara Lawson said they shot only 10-for-35 in the paint.
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Chelsea Gray delivered a crucial jumper with 1:07 remaining to extend the U.S. lead to 55-50 and help secure the victory.
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Italy’s Cecilia Zandalasini led all scorers with 14 points and had a chance to force overtime, but her late three-point attempt missed; Italy entered the tournament ranked 14th by FIBA and had not appeared at a World Cup since 1994 before this year.
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The U.S. was scheduled to face Czechia next on Monday, Sept. 7, with Czechia entering the matchup at 0-2 in the tournament.
Team USA advanced to the quarterfinals with a narrow 55-52 victory over Italy, extending its World Cup winning streak to 32 consecutive games. But the win exposed troubling offensive weaknesses: the Americans shot just 16-for-56 overall and scored only 55 points—their lowest total since 1967—according to RealGM. Jackie Young led the team with 10 points, while star Caitlin Clark went scoreless on six missed shots.
Italy's Zone Defense Stifles U.S. Offense
Italy's disciplined defensive scheme repeatedly shut down American scoring opportunities. The U.S. managed just 10-of-35 shots in the paint and converted only 1-of-12 three-pointers, per coach Kara Lawson. Cecilia Zandalasini led all scorers with 14 points, proving Italy could match the Americans' talent even if not their experience. The low-scoring affair reflected a stark reality: traditional U.S. dominance no longer guarantees easy wins.
Chelsea Gray's Clutch Shot Seals Survival
With 1:07 remaining, Chelsea Gray delivered the game-winning jumper to push the U.S. lead to 55-50. Italy's Zandalasini had a final chance to force overtime but missed her three-point attempt, according to WTOP. The close call tested Team USA's composure in a way group-stage games rarely do, forcing the roster to execute under real pressure without dominant individual scoring performances.
Italy's Return Signals Deeper Global Competition
Italy entered the tournament ranked 14th by FIBA and had not appeared at a World Cup since 1994. That Zandalasini and company held the four-time defending champions to 55 points—and came within one possession of forcing overtime—underscores growing parity in women's basketball. Jackie Young and Breanna Stewart acknowledged afterward they were "trying to figure some things out," signaling the Americans know future rounds demand sharper execution.
USA Faces Czechia With No Room for Poor Shooting
The U.S. advances to Monday, September 7 to face Czechia, currently winless at 0-2 in the tournament. But the narrow Italy escape has sent a message: a single bad shooting night in the knockout rounds could end Team USA's World Cup reign. Players must now prove they can generate efficient offense against better-organized defenses or risk a historic upset.
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