USA vs Czechia FIBA World Cup winners, losers led by Breanna Stewart

Published On: September 7, 2026

Up to date Sept. 7, 2026, 6:51 p.m. ET

Workforce USA completed group stage on the 2026 FIBA Ladies’s Basketball World Cup with a 105-64 victory over Czechia Monday on Sept. 7 in Berlin, Germany.

The People improved to 3-0 on the Ladies’s World Cup, finishing a sweep of Group D. The 41-point victory is the USA’s thirty third consecutive World Cup win, a streak that dates again to 2006.

Workforce USA was coming off a 55-52 victory over Italy on Sunday, the People’ lowest level complete on the World Cup since 1984. They bounced again with six gamers in double figures towards Czechia. Breanna Stewart led Workforce USA with 19 factors, seven rebounds and 6 assists in 17 minutes. Angel Reese added 13 factors, Napheesa Collier and Jackie Younger 12 every and Paige Bueckers and Sonia Citron 10 every.

“I believed it was an awesome response that we had from yesterday’s recreation. Clearly, we did not shoot nicely, however popping out with the aggression that we did, particularly on protection, I believed our on ball protection was fairly good,” Collier mentioned. “I noticed lots of people bought their palms in.”

The People advance to the quarterfinals and can play the winner of Japan-Hungary on Thursday, Sept. 10. Listed below are the winners and losers USA vs. Czechia:

Winners

Breanna Stewart, USA veterans

The “Younger and Turnt” crew could also be the way forward for Workforce USA, however the workforce’s skilled core of veterans proved they’re the current. With 9 first-time gamers within the World Cup, the veterans reset the usual for the rookies to observe on Monday. That’s precisely what they did.

USA’s skilled core set the tone early, with Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier combining for 25 factors within the first half. Stewart completed with 19 factors, seven rebonds and 6 assists in 17 minutes within the win.

“I needed to return out and actually lead this workforce in various methods,” mentioned Stewart, the participant of the sport. “We needed to ensure immediately we actually took issues into our personal palms and actually lead by instance.”

Stewart, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, is showing in her fourth World Cup, becoming a member of Sue Chicken (5) and Diana Taurasi (4) as the one American ladies to make a minimum of 4 appearances. If USA goes on to win gold, Stewart will tie Chicken for probably the most World Cup gold medals.

USA’s response

After USA survived Italy’s nail-biting comeback bid, USA head coach Kara Lawson was candid together with her newly-formed workforce. She challenged their ardour, capability to compete and depth, which ought to be a given representing the crimson, white and blue.

“Let this be the final time {that a} workforce performs with extra ardour than us all through the course of the sport,” Lawson mentioned. “Let this be the final time that each one 12 (gamers) do not present as much as compete at a excessive stage. After which let this be the final time that we lack a resilient mindset as a result of we’re so upset that we’re not scoring the best way we’re usually scoring. Your contribution needs to be your effort, your ardour, your power, your depth that you simply play with.”

There was no query the People needed to win on Monday. USA got here out motivated, responding with a 41-point margin of victory towards Czechia, their largest win of the event. Each USA participant scored within the matchup.

“I knew our offense would come round. I’m so happy with the best way they’re enjoying. Their effort and power,” Lawson mentioned at halftime. “That was good to see.”

Kiki Iriafen

Kiki Iriafen proved you all the time have to remain prepared. After logging a DNP in USA’s win over Italy on Sunday, head coach Kara Lawson referred to as Iriafen’s quantity in Monday’s matchup towards Czechia. Her affect was instantly felt. Iriafen recorded 5 factors and 11 rebounds, together with six on the offensive glass, plus one steal in eight minutes of labor.

Workforce USA 3-point taking pictures

Workforce USA could not purchase a basket from lengthy vary in Sunday’s recreation towards Italy because the People shot 1-of-12 from past the arc. The U.S. bounced again on Monday as Breanna Stewart knocked down a 3-pointer with 9:09 remaining within the first quarter to open scoring for the People.

Workforce USA had 5 3s within the first half and completed 7-for-25. Seven completely different gamers made a 3-pointer within the recreation.

“We took some strides in transition offense,” USA coach Kara Lawson mentioned. “I believed we made some strides in our half court docket offensive execution, and our defensive consciousness.”

Losers

Czechia getting bounced from the event

Let’s not mince phrases, the USA didn’t play nicely towards Italy. The pulled it collectively towards Czechia, making three consecutive 3-pointers to open the sport and occurring a 13-4 run to take a 14-point lead after the primary quarter.

Czechia completed the event 0-3, dropping to Italy and China in Group D play.

“We performed towards the very best of the very best, the USA,” Czechia head coach Romana Ptáčková mentioned. “It was actually robust. We knew that, we knew that it should be laborious in a low submit and so they confirmed us that.”

Czechia was outrebounded 55-35 by the U.S. and outscored 52-30 within the paint. Czechia additionally dedicated 16 turnovers.

Czechia guard liska Joklova

Monday was a tough day for Czechia guard Eliska Joklova. Hours forward of Czechia’s matchup towards the USA, the Minnesota Lynx introduced they had been waiving Joklova to make room for newly-signed guard Aari McDonald. Czechia went on to endure a 41-point loss to USA so as to add insult to harm. Joklova had a team-high 19 factors within the loss, the one Czech participant to succeed in double digits, however it was nowhere close to sufficient to maintain up with the People.

USA turnovers

Workforce USA took care of the ball within the first half with zero turnovers within the first quarter and simply two at halftime. The second half was a distinct story with 11 turnovers. Czechia scored 11 factors off America’s errors.

“We’re bettering day by day. … Daily that we’re collectively, we’re getting understanding of play off of each other, even talk off of each other,” USA coach Kara Lawson mentioned.