Team USA Beats France 97-79 for 5th Straight FIBA World Cup Gold

Q: How did Team USA use a devastating third-quarter run to crush France's undefeated World Cup dreams in Berlin?

Team USA broke France’s unbeaten run by turning a tight game into a rout with a 30-12 third quarter built on defense, pace and shot-making. France had controlled stretches of the first half and led by as many as 14, but the Americans shifted the game just before the break. Caitlin Clark’s buzzer-beater cut the deficit to two at halftime, giving the U.S. momentum. Coming out of the locker room, the Americans raised their defensive pressure, disrupted France’s rhythm and forced a dramatic scoring drop. France managed only four field goals in the third quarter, and Gabby Williams, who had helped keep France afloat early, was largely contained after halftime. Breanna Stewart drove the turnaround. She finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds, earned tournament MVP honors and set the tone at both ends. Jackie Young added 18 points, six rebounds and five assists, attacking gaps in transition and the half court. Clark’s 12 points in about 12 minutes off the bench gave the U.S. an extra jolt, including a key 3-pointer during the decisive run. Once the U.S. grabbed control, France could not recover. Dominique Malonga scored 21 and Williams had 20, but the French offense stalled badly in the second half as the Americans’ depth and physicality took over. The 97-79 win delivered the United States its fifth straight World Cup title, 12th overall, and extended its World Cup winning streak to 35 games while ending France’s undefeated tournament in emphatic fashion in Berlin.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 13

A 30-12 third quarter turned a first-half deficit into a 97-79 U.S. win over France in the women’s World Cup final in Berlin.
Breanna Stewart led the comeback with 22 points and 10 rebounds, earned tournament MVP honors, and got 18 points, six rebounds and five assists from player-of-the-game Jackie Young.
Caitlin Clark added 12 points in about 12 bench minutes, including a buzzer-beater before halftime and a key fourth-quarter 3-pointer that helped keep France at bay.
France was powered by Dominique Malonga’s 21 points and Gabby Williams’ 20, but no other French player reached double figures as the offense stalled after halftime.
The title was the United States’ fifth consecutive World Cup gold and 12th overall, extending a run that has now produced seven crowns in the last eight tournaments.