Team USA survives upset scare to Italy in FIBA Women's World Cup after poor shooting performance

· Yahoo Sports

Team USA picked up its second Group D victory of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup on Sunday with a narrow 55-52 win over Italy in a game that turned into an upset scare.

The Americans came into the matchup with plenty of confidence. When the U.S. faced Italy in the World Cup qualifiers in March, it won 93-59. Sunday's rematch was a different story.

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The United States got out to a 19-8 lead in the first quarter using quick possessions and stifling defense. Italy slowly clawed back into the game in the second and third quarters as it played better defense as a team, swapping between zone and man-to-man schemes.

Team USA also went ice cold shooting from the field. The Americans continued to attempt 3s, but didn't make one until Paige Bueckers connected from deep with 1:50 left in the third quarter. Before that first make, the U.S. was 0-10 from beyond the arc.

The Americans went into the fourth quarter up 42-39. This started plenty of back-and-forth action in the final frame.

Chelsea Gray hit a jumper with 1:07 left in the game to put the United States up 55-50. Italy responded with a jumper of its own. Jackie Young came down with a huge rebound, but even though the Americans couldn't capitalize on the extra possession, the extra time helped to chip away at the game clock.

Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini then tried to hit a three or draw a foul, but during the possession, she felt she had been poked in the eye. It wasn't called; she missed a heave, and the clock ran out after Breanna Stewart was able to secure the rebound.

After the final whistle, Zandalasini was incensed and had to be held back by teammates and coaches as she was giving the referees a piece of her mind.

The win qualifies Team USA for the quarterfinals of the World Cup. The United States will be back in action tomorrow against Czechia.

Paige Bueckers helped to run a fast-paced offense in the first quarter. The Americans did a good job cleaning up the glass and capitalizing on turnovers.

Team Italy looked slower on offense, trying to be more methodical in attacking Team USA's stout defense. This difference favored Team USA in the first quarter, but Team Italy in the second quarter.

The Americans were able to rely on their quick possessions, but then, when the shots stopped falling, the Italians took advantage. Team USA shot only 32% in the first half, and the lead was bolstered by 12 free-throw makes compared to Italy's 5.

Their cold spell from the floor continued into the second half. Team USA finished the game 16 of 56 from the floor for a 29% shooting percentage. If the Americans didn't convert 22 of their 30 free-throw attempts, compared to 14 of 20 from the charity stripe for the Italians, Team USA may have lost the game.

This was Team USA's lowest point total in the FIBA Women's World Cup since 1971.

The Americans cruised to a win, but it wasn't because of an influx of 3s. Team USA went 0-3 in both the first and second quarters from beyond the arc.

Team USA finally hit a three with 1:50 left in the third quarter. Bueckers tied the game up at 39, but the Americans were 0-10 from deep before she hit that shot.

The United States missed another 3-pointer and finished the game a measly 1-12 from three-point range.

Caitlin Clark, Kahleah Cooper, and Rhyne Howard went a combined 0-for-7 from beyond the arc.

The U.S. played clean basketball in its first game against China, committing only eight turnovers. Against Italy, the United States committed 13 turnovers.

The good news for the Americans is that the Italians had 16 turnovers, so that metric did favor Team USA, but it is an easy aspect of the game to improve upon before the next matchup.

If you watch these WNBA stars play for their respective teams, it is not uncommon for them to lead their team in points by a wide margin.

The Americans' All-Star team has done a great job in two matches of spreading the ball around. Against China, Team USA was led by Bueckers, Clark, and Rhyne Howard, who each had 14 points.

Against Italy, only Jackie Young finished with double-digit scoring and had 10 points. Angel Reese had eight points off the bench, and Napheesa Collier, Cooper, and Aliyah Boston each finished with six points apiece.

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