U.S. women's basketball team edges Italy in its closest FIBA World Cup game in 20 years
· Yahoo Sports
The U.S. women's basketball team edged Italy 55-52 in its closest FIBA World Cup in 20 years on Sunday.
Italy led 50-49 with 3:21 left before the U.S. regained control in a group-stage game of the biggest international tournament between now and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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The Americans stormed out to a 19-8 lead after the first quarter in Berlin, but Italy rallied to get within three going into the fourth quarter.
Italy, led by Cecilia Zandalasini of the Golden State Valkyries, qualified to play in its first global championship since the 1996 Olympics. It took third at the 2025 EuroBasket, its best finish at that continental tournament since 1995.
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Zandalasini missed a three-pointer with three seconds left that could have sent the game into overtime.
The U.S. has won 32 consecutive FIBA World Cup games since its last defeat in the semifinals in 2006. Before Sunday, its closest game during the win streak was an 83-75 over Australia in 2010.
The U.S. opened this World Cup with a 94-61 victory over China on Friday in a rematch of the 2022 World Cup final.
The U.S. finishes group play against Czechia on Monday at 2:45 p.m. ET. After that come the knockout rounds, including the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers and USA Basketball eras linked by jersey numbersThe U.S. women’s national team plays at the FIBA World Cup from Sept. 4-13.