Team USA edges Italy 55-52 for quarterfinal berth

Team USA narrowly avoided a significant upset on Sunday, September 6, 2026, securing a 55-52 victory over Italy in their second Group D game at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany. The win, though hard-fought, booked the Americans' place in the quarterfinals of the tournament. The contest was a defensive struggle for both sides, with Team USA shooting just 29 percent from the field and 11.1 percent from beyond the arc. Italy also found scoring difficult, managing only 18 successful field goals at a 31 percent success rate. Team USA's advantage ultimately came from the free-throw line, where they converted 22 of 30 attempts compared to Italy's 10 made free throws. Midway through the fourth quarter, Italy held a three-point lead, and the game remained close until the final possession, where an Italian player's potential game-tying shot missed the mark. While Team USA secured the victory, the offensive struggles were a focal point. Jackie Young led the American scoring with 10 points and was the only player to shoot above 40 percent from the field.