The US women's basketball team secured a narrow 55-52 win over Italy in the Fiba Women's World Cup on Sunday, overcoming poor shooting and a dramatic finish. Key statistics include the US's dismal 16-for-56 overall shooting percentage and 1-for-12 three-pointers, as well as their 22-14 advantage at the free throw line. The game was marked by controversy when Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini claimed to have been poked in the eye, but she later apologized for her reaction. US players Jackie Young and Breanna Stewart made crucial plays down the stretch to seal the victory.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
A fire alarm went off at 2am in the hotel where many teams were staying for the Women's Basketball World Cup, forcing an evacuation before players could return to their rooms about an hour later.
The alarm was caused by someone pushing a button in the elevator, and no actual fire was present. Australia coach Sandy Brondello noted that it was "a what-if situation" but also a chance for teams to prepare for unexpected events.
Meanwhile, in a separate game at the World Cup, Team USA faced a tough challenge from Italy, ultimately winning 55-52 after trailing by two points with just over three minutes remaining.
The win marked the 32nd consecutive World Cup victory for the US team, dating back to a loss to Russia in 2006. However, this game was one of the closest in recent history, with Italy coming within single digits of the Americans' total.
In the same game, Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini had a chance to tie the score but missed a three-pointer at the buzzer, and later expressed contrition for her behavior towards the referees after the game.
The US team struggled with poor shooting, making only 29% of their field goals overall and just 1-12 from beyond the arc, but managed to pull out the win thanks to timely baskets and a key defensive play by Chelsea Gray.
Written for “US Women's Basketball at World Cup” on 2026-09-07,
grounded in this article and the 6 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 6222 · logged 2026-09-07
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.
asserted
Americans → have → 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.
asserted
who → clinch → 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.
asserted
Young → assist → 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.
asserted
Italy → make → 55
Gray missed a shot on the next US trip but Young corralled the rebound to help her team bleed more clock.
asserted
team → miss → 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.
asserted
she → miss → play
She expressed contrition after the game.
asserted
She → express → game
“I would like to apologize for how I reacted in the end,” said Zandalasini.
asserted
Zandalasini → like → end
“To the opposing team, it was a lot of emotions today, but I should have kept them inside of me a little better.
asserted
I → oppose → me
I want to apologize to the referees.
asserted
I → want → 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.”
asserted
I → ’ → me
Young scored six of her team-high 10 points in the fourth quarter.
asserted
Young → score → 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.
asserted
Bueckers → score → US
Caitlin Clark shot 0-for-6 from the floor and scored one point.
asserted
Clark → shoot → point
The Americans won despite shooting a woeful 16 of 56 (28.6%) overall and 1 for 12 on 3-pointers.
asserted
Americans → win → pointers
They outscored the Italians 22-14 at the foul line.
asserted
They → outscore → line
Zandalasini of the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries had 14 points and seven boards to guide Italy (1-1).
asserted
Zandalasini → have → Italy
The US narrowly avoided their first World Cup loss since the 2006 semi-finals.
asserted
US → avoid → finals
It marked their closest World Cup game in 20 years, per NBC Sports.
asserted
It → mark → Sports
The Americans conclude Group D play on Monday against the Czech Republic (0-2).
asserted
Americans → conclude → Republic
The other game will pit Italy against China (1-1) with both teams still holding a chance to advance.
asserted
teams → pit → chance
