Breanna Stewart's double-double, Caitlin Clark's emergence off bench help US to World Cup win over France
USA Women’s Basketball Clinches Fifth Straight World Cup Title Over France
In a decisive showdown that took place on Sunday, the United States women’s national basketball team secured the gold medal at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup with a convincing 97‑79 victory against France. The win marks the U.S. squad’s fifth consecutive championship in this tournament and the seventh gold medal in the last eight World Cups.
The match, a high‑scoring affair, began with France holding a modest advantage after the first half. United States coach Tara VanDerveer and her roster were forced to mount a comeback, and the pivotal turning point came in the third quarter. A dominant 30‑point surge by the Americans, outscoring the French by 30‑12, shifted the momentum dramatically and set the stage for a comfortable finish.
Key performers for the United States included:
Breanna Stewart – The veteran forward posted a double‑double, scoring 22 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Stewart’s presence on the court was a constant threat, both in the paint and on the perimeter, and she played a critical role in the third‑quarter run.
Jackie Young – Young contributed 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists, providing a steady scoring output and efficient playmaking that helped keep the offense flowing.
Caitlin Clark – Though limited to about twelve minutes off the bench, Clark made the most of her time, scoring 12 points and dishing out three assists. She delivered two crucial moments: a clutch buzzer‑beat before halftime that narrowed the deficit to just two points, and a decisive three‑pointer early in the fourth quarter that pushed the Americans ahead.
The U.S. roster displayed depth and resilience, overcoming the early deficit and capitalizing on the third‑quarter run to cement their championship. This victory further cements the United States’ legacy as a dominant force in women’s basketball on the international stage.