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09/13 15:09 CDT US wins fifth straight women's FIBA World Cup title, beating
France 97-79
US wins fifth straight women's FIBA World Cup title, beating France 97-79
By DOUG FEINBERG
AP Basketball Writer
BERLIN (AP) --- Breanna Stewart and the U.S. faced a stiff challenge from
France before dominating in the second half to win its fifth consecutive
women's FIBA World Cup.
The 97-79 victory extended the Americans' streak to 36 straight World Cup wins,
dating to the semifinals of the 2006 World Cup, where they lost to Russia. The
U.S. improved to 9-0 in gold-medal games since finishing second in 1983 to the
Soviet Union.
Despite the final score, this one wasn't easy; the Americans faced their
biggest deficit in the tournament in a long time, trailing by 14 points in the
first half. They calmly rallied behind Stewart and Jackie Young to get within
two at halftime, and Caitlin Clark hit a 3-pointer just before the buzzer.
The U.S. dominated in the second half, starting the third quarter with a 11-2
run to go up 54-47. Stewart, who has now four World Cup titles to her name, had
four points during the game-changing burst.
Stewart, who was named the tournament MVP, finished with 22 points and Young
with 18.
France was able to get within 55-51, but the Americans used a 16-3 spurt that
included France being called for two unsportsmanlike fouls on the same play.
The Americans were up 73-57 heading into the fourth quarter, and France never
was able to close the gap.
This was the second-youngest team the Americans have sent to a World Cup. There
were many newcomers on the roster including Clark, Angel Reese and Paige
Bueckers, who were getting their first experience with the national team. But
it was the veterans who carried the team to the victory.
The Americans had looked more vulnerable in this tournament than at any time
during their remarkable run. A three-point win over Italy in pool play was the
closest a team has come to the U.S. in group stage in 50 years. The 10-point
victory over Spain was the closest semifinal contest during the streak. The
Americans had been winning by an average of 26 points over the past four
medal-round games.
None of that matter in the end as the Americans finished the same way they had
the previous four World Cup tournaments --- as champions.
The loss nevertheless gave France its best finish ever in the event. The French
were hoping for the top prize after they came close against the U.S. in the
2024 Paris Olympic gold-medal game two years ago. That one-point loss still
stung two years later.
Dominique Malonga scored 21 points and Gabby Williams added 20 for France.
France got off to a strong start. The U.S. trailed 20-17 after the first
quarter and the French scored the first 11 points of the second, capped by
Williams' 3-pointer, to take a 31-17 lead. But the Americans rallied and
trailed 45-43 at the half on Clark's 3 just before the buzzer.
Spain topped host Germany to win the bronze medal.
___
See AP's full WNBA coverage here
