US Women's Basketball Advances Despite Offensive Struggles Against Italy
The United States women's basketball team narrowly defeated Italy 55-52 to secure a spot in the FIBA World Cup quarterfinals. However, the team shot just 29% from the field and committed more turnovers than assists, with only Jackie Young scoring in double figures. The performance raised concerns about the team's offensive consistency heading into the knockout stage.
The victory secured the Americans' direct passage to quarterfinal play beginning September 10th, yet the offensive output marked their lowest-scoring World Cup performance in over five decades. Italy, competing in its first major international tournament since 1996, pushed the heavily favored Americans to the final possession, with Cecilia Zandalasini's potential tying three-pointer rimming out in the closing seconds.
The Americans' shooting struggles were widespread, as the team connected on under a third of its field goal attempts and missed all ten early three-point tries. The absence of injured stars A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, replaced by second-year players Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron, left the roster thinner than expected, raising questions about depth against stronger knockout-stage opponents like France, Australia, and Spain.
This performance could reshape expectations for American dominance in international women's basketball, potentially influencing how fans and media frame the team's identity ahead of single-elimination play. A loss in the knockout round would mark the program's first since 2006, which may affect viewership interest and broader engagement with the sport. The offensive struggles could also prompt conversations about roster construction and reliance on star players, though the team's depth may still prove sufficient against tougher competition.