USA edge Italy 55-52 at Women's World Cup
Jackie Young's late surge and a rare Breanna Stewart basket lifted the US past Italy 55-52, sealing a quarter-final berth despite poor shooting.
The United States needed a fourth-quarter rally from Jackie Young and a rare made basket from Breanna Stewart to get past Italy 55-52 at the FIBA Women's World Cup on Sunday, moving to 2-0 and sealing a quarter-final spot.
Italy led 42-39 after three quarters and went back in front three times in the fourth before Stewart's jumper, assisted by Young, put the Americans up 51-50 with 3:20 remaining. Young added a floater on the next possession, and Chelsea Gray's pull-up with 1:07 left made it a three-point cushion. Italy answered with a quick two to close to 55-52, and Gray then missed on the US end, but Young grabbed the offensive rebound to run down the clock.
The final possession turned into the flashpoint. Cecilia Zandalasini missed a three at the buzzer that would have tied the game, then was seen shouting at the officials, arguing she had been poked in the eye on the play. She apologised afterwards for the outburst.
«I would like to apologize for how I reacted in the end,».
«To the opposing team, it was a lot of emotions today, but I should have kept them inside of me a little better. I want to apologize to the referees. It’s just when I wear this jersey, it’s just a different beast that comes out of me, and now I feel embarrassed for how I reacted».
Young top-scored with 10 points, six of them in the fourth quarter. Angel Reese added eight, Stewart pulled down 11 rebounds despite going 1-of-9 from the field, and Paige Bueckers contributed seven points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. Caitlin Clark managed just one point on 0-for-6 shooting. Overall the US shot 28.6% from the field and 1-for-12 from three-point range.
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