Team USA Survives Italy Scare as Caitlin Clark Sets Unwanted Shooting Mark at World Cup
Team USAâs 55-52 win over Italy at the 2026 FIBA Womenâs World Cup has emerged as one of the weekâs most significant basketball stories, combining a rare scare for the American women with an unusually rough shooting night for star guard Caitlin Clark. The United States advanced directly to the quarterfinals despite offensive struggles, while Clark went scoreless from the field and set an unfortunate shooting record that has sparked intense debate about the teamâs form and her role.
Caitlin Clarkâs Cold Shooting Night Highlights Team USAâs Escape Against Italy at Womenâs World Cup
Team USAâs narrow 55-52 win over Italy at the 2026 FIBA Womenâs Womenâs World Cup in Berlin has quickly become one of the most talkedâabout basketball stories of the week â not for dominance, but for vulnerability and one starâs historically rough night.
USA survives major scare, books quarterfinal spot
The United States needed a gritty late surge to get past Italy, grinding out a 55-52 victory in what was described as the teamâs toughest World Cup test in years in Berlin.A gritty late surge lifts the US past Italy 55-52 in its toughest World Cup test in years The win moved Team USA to 2-0 at the tournament and clinched direct qualification to the quarterfinals, avoiding any playâin complications.Team USA survives major scare against Italy, advances to Women's World Cup quarterfinals
Jackie Young led a struggling American offense with 10 points, while Chelsea Gray delivered a critical defensive play in the closing stages to help preserve the result.A gritty late surge lifts the US past Italy 55-52 in its toughest World Cup test in years Despite the win, the game has been widely framed as a major scare for the perennial powerhouse, underscoring that this World Cup is far from a foregone conclusion.Team USA survives major scare against Italy, advances to Women's World Cup quarterfinals