SYDNEY — There’s been a long legacy of success for the U.S. women’s basketball team at the World Cup. The names change over time, but the results don’t seem to. Kelsey Plum scored 20 points, Chelsea Gray added 16 and the United States routed Bosnia and Herzegovina 121-59 on Tuesday to break the team record for consecutive wins at the World Cup.
The victory was the 27th in a row in World Cup play for the Americans, who haven’t lost since the 2006 semifinals against Russia.
The U.S. won 26 in a row from 1994-2006 leading up to that game. The Soviet Union holds the World Cup record with 56 straight wins from 1959-86. “It’s kind of amazing,” said Breanna Stewart, who has been part of the last three World Cup teams. “Obviously, been here for some of it, but you understand the legends before that who really kind of started the streak.
It goes to show that no matter who is playing on USA Basketball, we’re always trying to chase excellence. “This streak doesn’t mean much right now because we’re going into the quarterfinals and focusing on winning a gold medal, but it’s something to kind of hang your hat on later.” What started with Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi and Sylvia Fowles has now been passed on to Stewart and A’ja Wilson.