The USA Basketball girls’s nationwide workforce defeated France, 97-79 on Sunday night to win the Gold Medal within the 2026 FIBA Girls’s World Cup. The win is the People’ fifth consecutive World Cup title.

Washington Mystics guard Sonia Citron and ahead Kiki Iriafen performed sparingly on this sport, however this wasn’t surprising provided that they had been the final additions. As Mystics followers, they acquired the “graduate faculty training” by coaching and taking part in alongside quite a few different WNBA stars. I feel it will likely be useful for them because the Mystics head towards their final 4 common season video games earlier than the playoffs.

Anyway, as for the sport itself, regardless of the lopsided rating, this wasn’t an all USA, on a regular basis affair. Les Bleues led for a lot of the second quarter and headed into halftime with a 45-43 lead. In truth, France led by as many as 14 factors! The 30-12 third quarter was when the People lastly made the knockout blow.

Breanna Stewart led the People with 22 factors, 10 rebounds and 4 assists, taking part in half-hour. Jackie Younger added 18 extra.

For France, Dominque Malonga led with 21 factors whereas Gabby Williams added 20 extra.

I’m completely happy that the Mystics didn’t simply produce two Gold Medal profitable World Cup gamers in Citron and Iriafen. Earlier than this sport, Spain beat Germany, 81-58 within the Bronze Medal sport. Mystics guard Alicia Florez solely performed 5 minutes however once more, she wasn’t anticipated to be amongst her nation’s greatest contributors. No less than least for this match.

Now that the World Cup is over, the Mystics will start making ready for the top of the common season and past. Their subsequent sport is on the highway Thursday towards the Chicago Sky. Tip off is at 8 p.m. ET. See you then.