Team USA escapes with win over Italy at FIBA women's World Cup - ESPN

BERLIN — The United States faced its stiffest challenge in nearly two decades in the women's FIBA World Cup and escaped with a win over Italy thanks to a few timely baskets late and a key defensive play by Chelsea Gray.

Jackie Young scored 10 points to lead the struggling offense in the 55-52 win on Sunday. It was the fewest points the Americans had scored in a World Cup win since they beat Australia 42-38 in 1967.

«You have to be able to win different ways in this tournament because every team stylistically plays a little bit different,» U.S. coach Kara Lawson said. «You do have to be able to win when you don't have your fastball. We didn't have a fastball tonight, but we figured it out late and we'll grow from it.»

The U.S. (2-0) has won 32 straight World Cup games dating to a loss to Russia in the 2006 semifinals. Only one team had come within single digits of the Americans during this run before Sunday, when Australia lost by eight points in 2010.

«Obviously, Italy really kind of mucked up the game for us a little bit,» Breanna Stewart said. «It made it difficult for us to score. They are a tough team. Tons of respect to what they've done. And, just proud of the resiliency of this group.»

The world has been closing the gap on the U.S. The Americans pulled off their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal in 2024, edging France by one point in the title game.

«We've seen that through the tournament that every game feels like a dogfight,» Lawson said. «It's really hard. On any given night, if you're not prepared to play, you'll lose. That's awesome for our sport.»

The U.S. trailed 50-48 with 4:29 left before going on a 7-0 run. Stewart, who missed her first eight shots, scored her first basket of the game to put the