US overcome poor shooting and Italy’s eye-poke claims in edgy Fiba World Cup win
The Guardian • • sports
Key Points:
- Jackie Young scored six of her team-high 10 points in the fourth quarter, and Breanna Stewart made a crucial late basket to lead the United States to a 55-52 victory over Italy in the FIBA Women’s World Cup.
- The US improved to 2-0 in group play, clinching a quarter-final berth despite shooting just 28.6% overall and 1-for-12 from three-point range.
- Italy’s Cecilia Zandalasini led her team with 14 points and seven rebounds but missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds and later apologized for her post-game reaction toward referees.
- The game was the US’s closest World Cup contest in 20 years, narrowly avoiding their first World Cup loss since 2006.
- The Americans will finish Group D play against the Czech Republic, while Italy faces China, with both teams still in contention to advance.
