# Team USA basketball survives scare against Italy in FIBA Women’s World Cup, secures quarterfinal berth

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/team-usa-basketball-survives-scare-against-italy-in-fiba-womens-world-cup-secures-quarterfinal-berth/
- Published: 2026-09-06T21:40:54+00:00
- Updated: 2026-09-07T00:10:43+00:00
- Original publisher: Fox News (publisher lean: Far right)
- Original article: https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/team-usa-basketball-survives-scare-against-italy-fiba-womens-world-cup-secures-quarterfinal-berth
- Topics: Art, Basketball, Culture, Europe, Sport, World

## Key points

- Team USA narrowly beat Italy 55-52 at the FIBA Women's World Cup
- Poor shooting (29% overall, 8% from three) exposed vulnerabilities
- USA advance to quarterfinals at 2-0; Caitlin Clark scored just one point

## Summary

Team USA's women's basketball team narrowly beat Italy 55-52 in a tense FIBA Women's World Cup group-stage match, avoiding what would have been a major upset. The Americans led by 11 points after the first quarter but were pushed hard by an Italian side that took a lead in the fourth quarter before a potential game-tying shot in the closing seconds missed the rim. The win moves the United States to 2-0 in group play and secures their place in the quarterfinals, though the performance exposed significant weaknesses in their shooting.

The US shot just 8% from three-point range (1 of 12) and only 29% from the field overall, a poor showing for a team expected to challenge for the title. Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini top-scored with 14 points and seven rebounds, while Jackie Young led the Americans with 10 points. Star guard Caitlin Clark struggled badly, scoring just one point and failing to make a single field goal, raising questions about the team's ability to find their best form ahead of the knockout rounds in Germany.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.