A’ja Wilson scored 19 points, Kelsey Plum added 17, and the United States defeated China 83-61 to capture their fourth consecutive women’s basketball World Cup gold medal on Saturday.
This was one of the most dominant teams in the United States illustrious World Cup history, having won 11 gold medals. They have won four consecutive gold medals for the first time in history. This was also the largest victory in a gold-medal game, topping the Americans’ two 20-point victories.
Wilson, who was named the tournament’s MVP, said, “It feels wonderful!” “We came on a mission, and we accomplished it. We got gold. Now we’re leaving with some equipment. We feel terrific about it. Australia treated us quite well. I did not see any kangaroos, but that’s alright because we’re leaving with gold.”
What Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi established has now been passed on to Wilson and Breanna Stewart. With Alyssa Thomas, who is 30 years old and the oldest player, the dominance could continue for years to come.
As they have done throughout the tournament, the Americans excelled on both ends of the floor, playing outstanding defense and utilizing a potent offense.
The United States finished the World Cup with an average of 98.8 points, barely short of the record set by the 1994 team, who averaged 99.0 points. They won by an average of 40,8 points, surpassing the 2010 team’s record.
The audience of over 16,000 was the largest to attend a women’s World Cup game since the tournament’s inception in 1953 in Chile.
China waited, under the leadership of Li Yueru and Wu Tongtong. Late in the second quarter, the Chinese team trailed 33-28 before the United States went on a 10-2 run highlighted by fast-break layups by Stewart and Wilson to stretch the lead to double digits.
Jin Weina made a three-pointer seconds before the halftime buzzer to bring China within 10 points.
The United States was simply too talented to allow the upset to occur, outscoring China 25-14 in the third. When Thomas fell after colliding with Li in the lane, the Americans did have a moment of dread. She was assisted off the court but returned after a few minutes.
China is a growing power in women’s basketball, having earned its first medal since the 1994 World Cup when the team grabbed silver. After the game, the team posed for a photo with their flag and the president of the Chinese Basketball Association, men’s superstar Yao Ming.
Wu scored 13 points before departing the game in the fourth quarter after her knee gave out while driving to the hoop. She was carried from the court.
The victory was the Americans’ 30th consecutive World Cup play; they had not lost since the 2006 semi-finals against Russia. The Soviet Union holds the World Cup record with 56 consecutive victories between 1959 and 1986.
This is only the second time in the United States illustrious history that they have qualified for four consecutive gold medal competitions. In addition, from 1979 to 1990, they won three times.
Even without 6-foot-8 Brittney Griner, this US squad with so many new faces continued to dominate the paint, outscoring their opponents by an average of 55-24.
China gave the United States its toughest game in pool play, losing by 14 points.
