For three quarters, Spain had Team USA staring straight at the end of a dynasty. Then, the Americans finally slammed the door.
Team USA pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 76-66 win over Spain on Saturday, advancing to the FIBA Women’s World Cup final and extending a World Cup winning streak that dates back to 2006.
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Spain kept the pressure on nearly all afternoon and had the game tied 58-58 entering the fourth quarter. But the Americans saved their best basketball for last, winning the final period 18-8.
Breanna Stewart led Team USA with 16 points and 6 rebounds, while Kahleah Copper added 13 and Jackie Young finished with 12 points and 5 rebounds. Young was especially important late, scoring 6 of her 12 points in the fourth quarter as the U.S. finally created some separation.
Afterward, Stewart said the difference was sticking with the fundamentals as the pressure mounted.
“Just continue to do the little things,” Stewart said. “Honing in on the rebounding, making sure that we were getting to the offensive glass. Defensively, we picked up in the second half.”
Stewart also made clear the Americans understand what’s next.
“This is going to be challenging, and obviously we have the biggest one tomorrow,” she said. “But that’s what we’re here. We’re going for gold, and that’s what we’re going to do.”
The win was far from pretty.
Team USA shot 40% from the field and 3-for-18 from 3-point range, while committing 15 turnovers. The Americans also managed only 9 assists after entering the semifinal with Caitlin Clark leading the team in that category.
Clark, who once again came off the bench, finished with just 1 point, 1 assist and 1 rebound while going 0-for-3 from the field. Paige Bueckers scored 6 points, while Angel Reese added 5.
At halftime, with the U.S. leading only 39-36, head coach Kara Lawson said her team needed to be “a little more precise in our coverages” and noted that uncharacteristic turnovers had cost the Americans opportunities. She added that the team needed to “stay aggressive and stay calm.”
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Spain got 17 points apiece from Maria Conde and Iyana Martín, but managed only 8 points in the decisive fourth quarter.
Now Team USA’s quest for a fifth consecutive World Cup championship moves on to the final against France. Stewart called France “a really tough team” and said the Americans would quickly turn the page after surviving Spain.