It wasn’t fairly, however Group USA survived its semifinal scare and saved its historic streak.
America defeated Spain, 76-66, Saturday within the World Cup semifinals in Berlin. The victory advances the Individuals to their fifth consecutive World Cup ultimate, the place they’ll face France and former UConn girls’s basketball star Gabby Williams for the gold.
France defeated Germany, 86-64, of their semifinal matchup and can make their first-ever look within the World Cup ultimate. Sunday’s gold-medal recreation is a rematch of the 2024 Olympic Closing between the 2 international locations (Group USA gained 67-66).
Saturday’s victory gave Group USA, the four-time reigning World Cup champs, 35 consecutive victories within the World Cup.
Fellow former Husky Breanna Stewart was the guiding ship towards the Spaniards. Not solely did the New York Liberty star hold the power up and supply very important sparks on each ends, however she additionally moved up on the World Cup report record.
Stewart led the cost the entire 40 minutes and completed with a team-high 16 factors with six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block. She’s now No. 6 all-time on Group USA’s World Cup profession scoring record with 266, passing Corridor of Famer Sheryl Swoopes (252) and simply two factors away from passing Cheryl Miller for No. 5.
Kahleah Copper (13) and Jackie Younger (12) additionally completed in double-digit scoring. Spain was led by Maria Conde and Iyana Martin, every with 17 factors.
Heading into Saturday’s semifinals, Group USA hadn’t trailed by greater than three factors all through its first 4 World Cup video games. Not solely did Spain snap that streak, however the Spaniards startled the Individuals with an overwhelming begin to Saturday’s semifinals.
The U.S. couldn’t purchase a bucket and did not arrange its protection in time to decelerate Spain. The Spaniards led 9-1 about two-and-a-half minutes in because the U.S. began the sport 2-of-7 from the ground.
It wasn’t till the ultimate minutes of the primary quarter that Group USA’s protection caught a break and kickstarted its offense. Paige Bueckers’ (six factors, three rebounds, one steal) steal-and-score with 1:51 left within the body gave the U.S. its first lead of the sport. Group USA rode out the momentum, stringing collectively a 14-2 run earlier than Spain’s bodily protection stopped its move.
Spain despatched double, triple groups to Group USA’s star submit gamers. The aggressive protection resulted within the Individuals making an attempt 27 free throws within the first half. Group USA scored 19 of its 39 first-half factors from the charity stripe. On the opposite finish, Spain solely tried 4 free throws within the first half and used a 6-2 run within the first half’s ultimate two minutes to make it a one-possession recreation at intermission.
The Spaniards pushed again even tougher after the break. Spain drilled in three triples within the first two minutes of the third quarter to drive an early tie and get the lead on the 7:30 mark. Napheesa Collier (seven factors, three rebounds) sparked a short 7-0 run to construct again Group USA’s cushion, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient as Spain prevented the U.S. from main by greater than six.
Spain ended the third on a 7-0 run to tie the sport for a fourth time.
The Individuals’ protection lastly clicked into place within the fourth quarter as Stewart did just a little little bit of the whole lot. She hustled down quick to dam Spain on one finish earlier than drawing a taking pictures foul on the different. The 32-year-old helped Group USA string collectively a 12-2 run to get its first 10-point lead of the sport with about 5 minutes remaining.
Group USA completed simply 17% from deep and had extra turnovers (15) than assists (13).
