Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark are helping Team USA reset after a night at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. The Americans survived Italy 55-52 on Sept. 6, producing their lowest World Cup scoring total since 1971. Clark struggled to score, while Reese supplied defense and rebounding in a tight game.
The narrow escape raised questions about the team’s offense and rotations, especially with A’ja Wilson absent from the tournament. One day later, the U.S. answered with a 105-64 victory over Czechia. Reese and Clark both contributed as the Americans restored their pace and balance before the knockout stage.
Italy exposed Team USA’s offensive problems
The Italy game was a sharp contrast to the U.S. opener against China, when the Americans won 94-61. Italy slowed the tempo, crowded passing lanes, and forced Team USA into difficult possessions throughout the 55-52 victory.
The numbers showed how unusual the performance was. The Americans shot 29 percent from the field and 8.3 percent from three-point range, while missing their first 10 attempts from beyond the arc. Jackie Young led the U.S. with 10 points, and no other American reached double figures.
Clark finished with one point, four rebounds, one assist, two steals, and two turnovers while going 0-for-6 from the field. Reese scored eight points in 15 minutes, shooting 2-for-5 and making all four of her free throws, while her defensive activity gave Kara Lawson another physical option late in the game.
Reese provided the toughness Team USA needed
Reese’s value became especially visible when the game turned into a possession-by-possession battle. Her ability to defend inside and attack the glass helped the Americans maintain an edge even when their perimeter offense stalled.
Her role has expanded beyond scoring during the tournament. Against China, Reese grabbed 9 rebounds and blocked a shot while helping defend 7-foot-3 center Zhang Ziyu, whose size created a unique challenge for the American frontcourt.
Reese then followed the Italy game with 13 points and 6 rebounds against Czechia. She shot 4-for-5 from the field as Team USA pulled away early and finished the group stage unbeaten at 3-0.
Clark answered with playmaking and control
Clark’s response was less about scoring than creating opportunities. After the difficult outing against Italy, she recorded 9 points and 7 assists against Czechia while continuing to serve as a secondary playmaker from the bench.
That role reflects the unusual depth on this Team USA roster. Clark is sharing the backcourt with established players such as Jackie Young, Rhyne Howard and Chelsea Gray, while Paige Bueckers gives Lawson another young creator capable of changing the pace.
The Czechia game also showed why Clark can influence games without dominating the shot attempts. Team USA shot 53 percent overall and scored 105 points, allowing Clark to focus on ball movement while Breanna Stewart led the scoring with 19 points.
Fun fact: Clark’s 11 assists against China were the most by a U.S. player in a Women’s World Cup game since 1998. The performance came in her senior World Cup debut, when she also scored 14 points and helped every American player get on the scoreboard.
Team USA rebounds in emphatic fashion
The 105-64 victory over Czechia was a strong response to the scare from Italy. The Americans led 29-15 after the first quarter and pulled away behind improved shooting and balanced scoring.
Reese and Clark were part of a broader team effort. The U.S. received contributions throughout the roster, with 6 players scoring in double figures and Breanna Stewart leading the team with 19 points.
The result secured first place in Group D and sent the Americans directly into the quarterfinals. Team USA later defeated Hungary 108-56 in the quarterfinals and advanced to the semifinals, where it is scheduled to face Spain on Sept. 12.
The group-stage response reinforced the value of the team’s depth, with veterans and younger players contributing in different ways as the Americans continued their pursuit of a fifth consecutive World Cup title.
A changing roster shapes the next challenge
The changing roster has made this tournament different from previous American runs. A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum withdrew before the competition, while Clark, Reese, and Bueckers are among the players beginning their first senior World Cup, creating a blend of established veterans and emerging stars.
Kara Lawson’s handling of that group has already produced a range of lineup combinations. The Italy game exposed the limits of a cold offense, while the Czechia victory showed how quickly the Americans can recover when the ball moves, the defense travels, and the younger players contribute.
The next stage will provide a tougher test than the group phase, but the recent sequence has already clarified the roles of Reese and Clark. Reese has supplied interior energy and defensive versatility, while Clark has added playmaking and perimeter pressure, giving Team USA two different ways to influence a game.
Together, those elements leave Team USA entering the knockout stage with renewed confidence and a clearer sense of how its emerging stars fit alongside its veterans. The quarterfinals will reveal whether that balance can carry the Americans through the tournament’s most demanding stretch.
TL;DR
- Team USA survived Italy 55-52 after an unusually poor offensive performance.
- Angel Reese scored 8 points against Italy and 13 against Czechia, adding rebounding and defense.
- Caitlin Clark bounced back from a difficult scoring performance against Italy with 9 points and 7 assists against Czechia.
- The U.S. beat Czechia 105-64 and finished Group D at 3-0.
- Team USA later defeated Hungary 108-56 in the quarterfinals, advancing to the semifinals as it pursued its fifth consecutive World Cup championship.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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