Team USA punched its ticket to the FIBA Women’s World Cup semifinal round in convincing fashion.
The Americans dismantled Hungary in a 108-56 quarterfinal blowout win
in Berlin, Germany, on Thursday, Sept. 10, where they led for all but 19 seconds to extend their World Cup win streak to 34 straight games. It was USA's largest margin of victory in the tournament thus far, with every USA player scoring for the third time."This is one of our most compete performances," USA head coach Kara Lawson said.
The Americans move on to face the winner of Spain-Australia in the semifinals on Saturday, Aug. 12.
The red, white and blue victory was so complete it was hard to narrow down a list of winners. Hungary headlines Thursday's losers after coming up short
in the semifinals.
USA TODAY Sports rounded up the highlights and lowlights from Thursday's quarterfinal match between USA and Hungary:
Winners
USA forward Napheesa Collier
After the American's scare against Italy in the preliminary round, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart said it was their responsibility as veterans to get Team USA, made up of seven newcomers, off to a good start.
“Obviously we're two of the older people on the team… we have to be able to set the tone and set an example,” Collier said on Monday. That’s exactly what she did Thursday's quarterfinal game against Hungary.
Collier came out aggressive with 10 points, three rebounds and one block in the first quarter. She rejected Minnesota Lynx teammate Dorka Juhasz's shot. By the third quarter, Collier improved her stat line to 19 points and seven rebounds while shooting 9-of-13 from the field and 1-of-2 from the 3-point line. And after 15 minutes of play, her job was done.
It was Collier's highest-scoring game in a Team USA jersey, including the 2020 and 2024 Olympics, where Collier helped the Americans win gold.
Collier started playing again in July after undergoing offseason surgery on both ankles.
Phee took this personally.
— FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) September 10, 2026
15 PTS and 7/9 from the field in 13 mins. #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/U38VjZyFz8
The Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese connection
The college rivals-turned-teammates were a two-woman show on Thursday. Clark found Reese under the basket early and often and Reese found the bottom of the net in Thursday's win. Clark assisted on six of Reese's nine points and Reese returned the favor. Reese secured a steal and set Clark up for a transition layup in the third quarter.
"We've played against each other so many times. I'm sure we know each other's game like the back of each other's hand," Reese said after the win. "Just easily dishing it off to her. She dishes off to me. She knows my spots. I kinda got one to her today, maybe two. So it's fun. We just continue to build chemistry because we know we're gonna be USA teammates for a while."
Clark finished with 10 points and nine assists, just one assist shy of her second double-double of the tournament. Reese had nine points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Caitlin Clark to Angel Reese is becoming a thing this World Cup 😈#FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/eAVKzLo6IP
— FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) September 10, 2026
Angel Reese with another steal, and return of favor to CC 🙌#FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/Hl4Eei5XB0
— FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) September 10, 2026
USA sets assist record
Team USA's chemistry is building, as evidenced by the team's record-breaking performance. The Americans collectively tallied 31 assists on 40-made field goals in their win over Hungary, which set a record for the most assists in a World Cup quarterfinal match.
"Having (31) assists really speaks to the game, the way that we're moving the ball," Collier said. "It's not one-on-one basketball. We're playing as a team. Multiple people are getting touches. We're finding the best shot, not just a good shot. And so that reflects that.
"Each game, again, we're improving with that, just getting our chemistry. This team has never played together with this group of people. And so sometimes it takes a while to come together, but we're taking advantage of each practice, each game that we have and getting better."
USA's 3-point shooting
Remember when USA went 1-of-12 from the 3-point line in its 55-52 win over Italy on Monday? Well, the Americans exercised those demons and shot a staggering 12-of-23 from beyond the arc on Thursday.
Aliyah Boston showed her range early, knocking down back-to-back 3s in the first quarter to help build USA's lead. Rhyne Howard, who leads the WNBA in made 3-pointers this season, had the hot hand in the second half. She finished shooting 3-of-5 from deep. Howard was one of four players to make at least two 3-pointers.
Losers
The unceremonious end to Hungary’s dream run
It’s a little sad to imagine the hopeful Hungary fans who tuned into Thursday’s matchup with the excitement of what had been a fantastic run.
This was Hungary’s first World Cup appearance since 1998, and their first time in the tournament’s final eight since 1986.
When 19th ranked Hungary never trailed in its win over world No. 10 Japan 84–63 on Tuesday, there was reason to believe the unlikely run could continue — especially since Team USA showed cracks in its narrow win over Italy.
That optimism was quickly crushed, as unbeaten Team USA was so dominant the game got out of hand quickly. The U.S. led by as many as 32 points in the first half as they scored at will and held Hungary to 32% shooting from the field.
Team USA starting lineup doubters
Team USA coach Kara Lawson received her share of criticism for sticking with her starting lineup of veterans throughout the group stage. Against Hungary, those detractors were left with nothing to lament.
When asked entering Thursday’s matchup if she’d consider starting World Cup debutant Caitlin Clark, Lawson was firm in saying she believed her opening group had “done a really good job.”
When pushed with a follow-up about whether she’d put fellow newcomers Angel Reese and Paige Bueckers in the opening rotation, Lawson started firm and repeated part of her previous answer: “I like where we are right now.”
Starters Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young, Kahleah Copper, Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart didn’t disappoint, getting the U.S. off to a 36-12 lead by the end of the first quarter on 74% shooting from the field and 3-of-3 shooting from deep.
Fans of the Young and Turnt crew were still fed from start to finish. Clark connected with Reese ahead of the buzzer in the first frame, and that chemistry continued throughout as every single Team USA player scored in the blowout, which resulted in the largest margin of victory in this World Cup for the U.S.
Hungary's post play
Hungary had trouble getting any offense going inside despite to post play of 6-foot-5 forward Dorka Juhasz and 6-4 center Virag Takacs-Kiss. The pair were held to two points each and Team USA outscored Hungary 52-16 in the paint.
"They're both excellent players, and they did maybe miss some jump shots that they normally make, especially Dorka, I thought, had some quality looks in that first half, and they just didn't go down," USA coach Kara Lawson said. "But I felt like we were really confident in our game plan, and Napheesa (Collier) and (Breanna Stewart) did a good job defensively. Aliyah (Boston) and Angel (Reese) when they came in, Kiki (Iriafen) as well.
"We were able to rotate, you know, we have five forwards that all bring something different to the table and bring an athleticism."
Every basketball fan who woke up to watch USA vs Hungary
If you woke up at 5:30 a.m. ET to watch the United States hoop against Hungary, congratulations, you're the real MVP. That level of dedication needs to be studied. Watching basketball before 8 a.m. local time feels like it should be illegal. We all need a nap.
Truthfully, this likely feels like complaining to the people who live overseas and do this regularly to watch their favorite teams. Please allow us three business days to get all our grievances out of our systems. We are not used to this kind of stress. Please respect our privacy as we cope.
Team USA FIBA Women's World Cup schedule
- Friday, Sept. 4: USA 94, China 61 | Full recap, highlights
- Sunday, Sept. 6: USA 55, Italy 52 | Full recap, highlights
- Monday, Sept. 7: USA 105, Czechia 64 | Full recap, highlights
- Thursday, Sept. 10: USA 108, Hungary 56 | Quarterfinal recap, highlights
- Saturday, Sept. 12: USA vs. Spain/Australia (Semifinal) | TBS, truTV (TBD)
The Women's World Cup final and third-place game will be held on Sunday, Sept. 13 (TNT, truTV).
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Angel Reese-Caitlin Clark connection tops USA vs Hungary winners and losers
