Breanna Stewart scored 16 points to lead the United States as the Americans advanced to the gold medal game of the FIBA World Cup with a 76-66 win over Spain in Berlin on Saturday.
The United States advances to face France in the final on Sunday. Spain will be in the third-place game against Germany.
Kahleah Copper added 13 points and Jackie Young contributed 12 to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Stewart also had six rebounds, second-most on the team behind Aliyah Boston’s seven.
Spain got a game-high 17 points from both Maria Conde and Iyana Martin. Martin chipped in three steals. Awa Fam was the next highest scorer with nine points and a game-high-tying seven rebounds.
The two squads entered the fourth quarter tied at 58, but the U.S. defense clamped down, limiting Spain to eight fourth-quarter points. The United States used a 12-2 run to begin the period to take a 70-60 lead with 5:20 to play.
Stewart keyed that run, drawing two fouls and sinking all four of her free throws. Her steal at the 7:01 mark allowed Boston to get loose for a layup that gave Team USA a 66-60 lead.
Boston finished with six points.
After a Copper bucket, Conde’s jumper with 3:38 to go cut the lead to 72-64. But Young responded with back-to-back hoops to give USA a 76-64 lead with 1:21 to go. Spain never got closer than 10.
Spain outscored the United States 22-19 in the third quarter after falling behind 39-36 at the half. Iyana Martin’s two free throws with 53 seconds left tied the score.
–Field Level Media
