Day 1 of FIBA World Cup motion noticed eight contests happen, and Crew USA established themselves because the clear favourite.
The People made the No. 4-ranked nation, China, look pedestrian, beating them 94-61. Different favorites reminiscent of France took care of enterprise as nicely. They beat Hungary 99-53. Spain additionally dominated, beating Germany 83-53.
Whereas no main upsets occurred on the opening day of play, there have been loads of spectacular performances.
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Caitlin Clark debuts with a double-double for Crew USA
Caitlin Clark was unstoppable towards China. They could not cease her from getting her 3-ball going. Every time she wished to enter the paint, she did, and together with her top-percentile passes reaching the arms of Crew USA gamers, she had oodles of dimes.
She ended the evening with a double-double and had a formidable zero-turnover recreation. It is early, however Clark enjoying so nicely towards one of many higher groups on this competitors may sign that Crew USA will cruise to a different World Cup title.
How Angel Reese, Kiki Iriafen battled China’s bigs
Whereas Clark dominated within the backcourt, the Crew USA gamers had their arms full within the frontcourt.
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China has unreal measurement, with Zhang Ziyu listed at 7-foot-3 and Han Xu at 6-foot-11. Angel Reese and Kiki Iriafen, standing 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-3, respectively, needed to tackle these defensive duties with A’ja Wilson out for this competitors. They did a stellar job.
Each did their work early, fronting Zhang and Han, doing every part potential to disclaim them the ball. And after they did get it, they made certain it was within the least advantageous positions potential. These ball entries have been farther from the basket, off-balance and highly-contested.
Ziyu scored 13 factors off the bench, however 9 of them have been from the free throw line. Xu had 11 factors, however struggled from the sector, capturing 5-for-14.
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France’s Large 3 got here to play
France misplaced to Crew USA within the 2024 Olympic ultimate by only one level—and so they appear able to avenge that loss within the World Cup.
Their Large 3 of Marine Johannès, Dominique Malonga and Gabby Williams, all scored 17 factors in France’s 99-53 win over Hungary.
This trio is nearly as good because it will get. Williams transformed on 70 % of her pictures and Johannès knocked down 4 3-pointers.
Whereas Johannès and Williams dominated on the perimeter, Malonga did her injury on the within. Each time she touched the ball, good issues occurred. Malonga cleaned up the glass with 10 rebounds, 4 of them offensive. She solely missed three pictures on this recreation and helped put away Hungary lengthy earlier than the ultimate buzzer sounded.
No different staff dominated greater than France did on this recreation.
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Certain, the competitors was gentle, however the efficiency was noticeable. Good luck to any staff that performs Les Blues.
A take a look at different opening day outcomes from Berlin
Spain over Germany 83-54
Spain is ranked sixth on the planet, and Germany discovered that out the exhausting manner. This was a straightforward win for Spain due to the play of Awa Fam. She had a game-high 17 factors together with three blocks and two steals. Spain by no means trailed of their blowout win.
Germany has expertise, and gamers like Leonie Fiebich and Nyara Sabally got here to play. They each have been in double figures. Nonetheless, that was just about it for Germany offensively, as nobody else may discover a rhythm.
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Japan over Mali, 102-97
Whereas many contests have been one-sided, this was an excellent affair. Japan got here out on high 102-97. Mali obtained inside one possession within the ultimate minute of play, however then Maki Takada drilled a 3 to provide Japan sufficient respiratory room to safe the consequence.
Takada ended the sport with 14 factors on 6-for-7 capturing. Whereas Takada was a veteran chief, Saki Hayashi was the star. She had a game-high 27 factors and had a plus-minus of +9. For Mali, Aminata Sangare and Djeneba N’Diaye have been the staff’s offensive manufacturing. They each scored 22 factors. Sika Koné was additionally an enormous issue, scoring 21.
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Australia over Puerto Rico, 70-54
Steph Talbot was one of many 4 gamers for Australia who scored in double figures. She had 19 factors, eight rebounds and three assists within the win.
Puerto Rico struggled offensively, however Arella Guirantes tried to jump-start the scoring, contributing 14 factors. Sadly, there simply wasn’t sufficient effectivity as Puerto Rico shot 30 % from the sector.
South Korea over Nigeria, 99-81
The Los Angeles Sparks’ lone World Cup participant, Jihyun Park, got here to play on this one. She scored 27 factors as South Korea cruised to victory over Nigeria. Leeseul Kang was additionally dominant. She had 20 factors within the win.
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Amy Okonkwo ended the evening with 22 factors for Nigeria, and Murjanatu Musa had a double double with 15 factors and 13 rebounds.
Belgium over Turkey, 89-75
Emma Meesseman may’ve had one of the best efficiency of the evening. She scored 27 factors and pulled down 9 rebounds in Belgium’s win.
Turkey had a balanced assault with 5 gamers in double figures, however their poor third quarter sealed their destiny. They have been outscored 27-9 and by no means recovered.
Italy beat Czechia 63-54
This was not the prettiest recreation ever performed. Each groups shot below 40 % from the sector and went a mixed 10-44 from 3-point vary. Nonetheless, ugly wins rely the identical as fairly ones, and Italy obtained it finished.
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Cecilia Zandalasini scored 19 factors, and Matilde Villa added 14 in Italy’s win. Whereas Czechia struggled to attain, do not embody Julie Pospisilova in that. She scored 21 factors on 50 % capturing. Pospisilova will want her teammates to step up if they’re to beat China on Sunday.
