United States advances to FIBA Women’s World Cup quarter-finals
3 sources • 3 min read • Latest: Sep 6, 2026, 11:14 PM
Last updated Sep 6, 2026
The United States secured a 55-52 victory against Italy on Sunday to earn a quarter-final berth in the FIBA Women’s World Cup. The American side improved to 2-0 in tournament play despite struggling with their perimeter shooting. Caitlin Clark went 0-for-6 from the field, and the team faced a deficit multiple times during the fourth quarter. Jackie Young provided a spark in the final frame, while Breanna Stewart contributed the go-ahead basket with 3:20 remaining. Chelsea Gray added a pull-up jumper to create a slim cushion before the United States closed out the game. Cecilia Zandalasini, who played for Italy, alleged she was poked in the eye during the contest. The win ensures the United States maintains its undefeated standing in group play as the tournament progresses toward the knockout rounds.
- •United States defeated Italy 55-52 on Sunday.
- •The win moves the United States to a 2-0 record in the tournament.
- •Breanna Stewart and Jackie Young scored key baskets late in the fourth quarter.
- •Caitlin Clark finished the game 0-for-6 from the field.
- •Cecilia Zandalasini claimed she was poked in the eye during the match.
- 11:14 PMYahoo Sports — Italy’s upset bid falls short as the US escapes 55-52 in a tense World Cup game
- 10:21 PMYahoo Sports — A gritty late surge lifts the US past Italy 55-52 in its toughest World Cup test in years
- 9:48 PMThe Guardian Sport — US overcome poor shooting and Italy’s eye-poke claims in edgy Fiba World Cup win
"USA edge into quarter’s with nervy 55-52 win Cecilia Zandalasini claims she was poked in eye Caitlin Clark shoots 0-6 from the field Jackie Young had a big fourth quarter and Breanna Stewart made her only basket of the game to put the United States up for good, helping the Americans escape with a 55-52 win over Italy in the FIBA Women’s World Cup on Sunday. The US (2-0), who clinched a quarter-final berth with the victory, led only 42-39 after three quarters and fell behind by two points on three occasions in the fourth. Stewart’s jumper, assisted by Young, gave the Americans a 51-50 lead with 3:20 to go, and Young hit a floater on their next possession. Chelsea Gray made a pull-up with 1:07 left for an important cushion, but Italy hit a quick two-pointer in response to cut it to 55-52. Gray missed a shot on the next US trip but Young corralled the rebound to help her team bleed more clock. Continue reading...
"The United States faced its stiffest challenge in nearly two decades in the women's FIBA World Cup and escaped with a win over Italy thanks to a few timely baskets late and a key defensive play by Chelsea Gray. Jackie Young scored 10 points to lead the struggling offense in the 55-52 win on Sunday. It was the fewest points the Americans had scored in a World Cup win since they beat Australia 42-38 in 1967.
"Italy came close to pulling off one of the biggest upsets in women's FIBA World Cup history. The Italians, making their first appearance in the tournament since 1994, gave the U.S. all it could handle before falling 55-52 on Sunday. Italy (1-1) almost handed the Americans their first loss in the tournament since 2006 and first preliminary round defeat since 1983.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 11:14 PMItaly’s upset bid falls short as the US escapes 55-52 in a tense World Cup game
Italy came close to pulling off one of the biggest upsets in women's FIBA World Cup history. The Italians, making their first appearance in the tournament since 1994, gave the U.S. all it could handle before falling 55-52 on Sunday. Italy (1-1) almost handed the Americans their first loss in the tournament since 2006 and first preliminary round defeat since 1983.
- Yahoo SportsSep 6, 2026, 10:21 PMA gritty late surge lifts the US past Italy 55-52 in its toughest World Cup test in years
The United States faced its stiffest challenge in nearly two decades in the women's FIBA World Cup and escaped with a win over Italy thanks to a few timely baskets late and a key defensive play by Chelsea Gray. Jackie Young scored 10 points to lead the struggling offense in the 55-52 win on Sunday. It was the fewest points the Americans had scored in a World Cup win since they beat Australia 42-38 in 1967.
- The Guardian SportSep 6, 2026, 9:48 PMUS overcome poor shooting and Italy’s eye-poke claims in edgy Fiba World Cup win
USA edge into quarter’s with nervy 55-52 win Cecilia Zandalasini claims she was poked in eye Caitlin Clark shoots 0-6 from the field Jackie Young had a big fourth quarter and Breanna Stewart made her only basket of the game to put the United States up for good, helping the Americans escape with a 55-52 win over Italy in the FIBA Women’s World Cup on Sunday. The US (2-0), who clinched a quarter-final berth with the victory, led only 42-39 after three quarters and fell behind by two points on three occasions in the fourth. Stewart’s jumper, assisted by Young, gave the Americans a 51-50 lead with 3:20 to go, and Young hit a floater on their next possession. Chelsea Gray made a pull-up with 1:07 left for an important cushion, but Italy hit a quick two-pointer in response to cut it to 55-52. Gray missed a shot on the next US trip but Young corralled the rebound to help her team bleed more clock. Continue reading...
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