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.
Italy’s Cecilia Zandalasini, who missed a three-pointer to tie the game with three seconds left, was seen shouting at the referees after the buzzer as she argued she had been poked in the eye on the play. She expressed contrition after the game.
“I would like to apologize for how I reacted in the end,” said Zandalasini. “To the opposing team, it was a lot of emotions today, but I should have kept them inside of me a little better. I want to apologize to the referees. It’s just when I wear this jersey, it’s just a different beast that comes out of me, and now I feel embarrassed for how I reacted.”
Young scored six of her team-high 10 points in the fourth quarter. Angel Reese scored eight points, Stewart grabbed 11 rebounds to help offset her 1-of-9 shooting day, and Paige Bueckers added seven points, five boards, two assists, two steals and two blocks for the US. Caitlin Clark shot 0-for-6 from the floor and scored one point.
The Americans won despite shooting a woeful 16 of 56 (28.6%) overall and 1 for 12 on 3-pointers. They outscored the Italians 22-14 at the foul line.
Zandalasini of the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries had 14 points and seven boards to guide Italy (1-1).
The US narrowly avoided their first World Cup loss since the 2006 semi-finals. It marked their closest World Cup game in 20 years, per NBC Sports.
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The Americans conclude Group D play on Monday against the Czech Republic (0-2). The other game will pit Italy against China (1-1) with both teams still holding a chance to advance.
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