Jackie Young leads a gritty US escape in a tight 55-52 women's World Cup win over Italy
- The United States defeated Italy 55-52 in a women's basketball World Cup preliminary-round game in Berlin on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
- Jackie Young scored 10 points to lead the U.S. victory, with Breanna Stewart and Chelsea Gray also contributing key baskets in the final minutes.
- The U.S. shot poorly, making just 29% from the field and 1 for 12 from three-point range, posting their lowest preliminary-round point total since 1971.
- The U.S. extended its World Cup winning streak to 32 consecutive games dating back to a 2006 loss to Russia, with Italy coming within three points at the end.
- Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini missed a potential game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer, while teammate Zandalasini led Italy with 14 points in their first World Cup appearance since 1994.
The United States survived a tight contest against Italy, winning 55-52 in a women's basketball World Cup preliminary-round game in Berlin on Sunday. Jackie Young scored 10 points to lead the American victory, extending the U.S. winning streak to 32 consecutive World Cup games dating back to 2006. Italy's strong defensive zone and poor American shooting made the game competitive throughout, with the U.S. managing just 29% from the field and 1 for 12 from three-point range.
The U.S. trailed 50-48 with 4:29 remaining before executing a decisive 7-0 run. Breanna Stewart, who had missed his first eight shots, scored to put the Americans ahead 51-50, followed by Young's layup for a 53-50 lead. Chelsea Gray added a jumper to extend the advantage to five points. Italy's Matilde Villa scored to cut it to three with under a minute left, but the Americans held on as Cecilia Zandalasini's potential game-tying three-pointer missed at the buzzer.
Italy, making its first World Cup appearance since 1994, had won its opening game against the Czech Republic and pushed the heavily favored Americans in front of a supportive home crowd. Zandalasini led Italy with 14 points in the loss. The U.S. posted its lowest preliminary-round point total since 1971, when they scored 51 against France, highlighting the defensive challenge Italy presented.
杨在艰苦比赛中领导美国队以55-52险胜意大利
美国队在柏林举行的女篮世界杯预赛中以55-52战胜意大利队，在一场竞争激烈的比赛中幸存下来。杨得到10分领导美国队获胜，将美国队的世界杯连胜纪录延续至32场，追溯到2006年。意大利队强大的防守区域联防和美国队糟糕的投篮表现使比赛全程保持竞争性，美国队命中率仅29%，三分球1投12中。
美国队在还剩4分29秒时以50-48落后，随后执行了决定性的7-0得分潮。布里娜·斯图尔特在前八次投篮全部失手后得分，将美国队领先优势扩大到51-50，随后杨的上篮使比分变为53-50。切尔西·格雷补篮将领先优势扩大到5分。意大利队的马蒂尔德·维拉得分将差距缩小到3分，但美国队最终守住了胜果，赞达拉西尼在终场哨声响起时的三分球未中。
意大利队自1994年以来首次参加世界杯，在首场比赛中战胜了捷克队，并在主场观众的支持下对实力强大的美国队构成了挑战。赞达拉西尼以14分领导意大利队。美国队的预赛阶段得分创造了自1971年以来的最低纪录（当时对法国队得51分），突显了意大利队防守的威力。