Ahead of the Women’s Basketball World Cup, Team USA coach Kara Lawson acknowledged what some box scores have indicated for some time: The United States is still the most dominant team in the world, but the margin isn’t as wide as it once was.
“I think there’s no doubt that the world is improving at a rapid rate,” Lawson said. “It’s so exciting to see, and I see it on every level.”
Lawson might not have been as excited to see that rapid rate of progress as she was on Sunday, as Team USA beat Italy 55-52 in its second game of the tournament.
In March, during World Cup qualifying in Puerto Rico, Team USA beat Italy by 34 points. Although the rosters were not identical from the qualifiers to the World Cup, the underperformance – just six months away – against an opponent that had been beaten so heavily was certainly a cause for concern. It was one of the closest games Team USA has played in a major international competition in a decade, against a team that — on paper — was overmatched, even without A’ja Wilson joining Team USA in Germany. It was only the fifth single-digit victory in the last decade for the USA
Meanwhile, the Italians have not qualified for the World Cup since 1994 and have not played at a major international competition since the 1996 Olympics, when they finished eighth. At those Olympics, the U.S. began its gold medal streak, which spans eight straight gold medals, and its international dominance. Italy has been at home in every major international competition since those Atlanta Games, while USA Basketball has run through its competition, dropping just one game in total over the same period (at the 2006 World Cup).
Against a physical Italian defense that changed its coverage, the U.S. couldn’t get much offense going, even when Lawson put together multiple formations and personnel groups. The team shot a total of 29 percent, and had a paltry eight percent of three-pointers, while missing eight free throws. Only Jackie Young (10 points) reached double figures. Overall, it was Team USA’s worst showing in international competition in 50 years.
Chelsea Gray, one of three World Cup winners on the roster, gave the USA a 5-point lead with a mid-range jumper with just over a minute left. Cecilia Zandalasini, who plays for the WNBA Golden State Valkyries, led Italy with 14 points and seven rebounds.
The United States of America extended its winning streak in international play, and advanced to the quarterfinals with its second victory in pool play.
This story will be updated.
