Team USA fell behind France by 14 in the first half of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup gold-medal game on Sunday, and was down 45-43 at the half, but it didn’t matter.
The U.S. blew France out in the third quarter, 30-12, and ended up winning by 18, 97-79.
They also vindicated Duke and U.S. coach Kara Lawson’s decision to stick with the veteran starters as Breanna Stewart, Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Kahleah Copper combined for 67 points, and all played at least 27 minutes.
And not surprisingly,
it was defense that broke the French. In the first half, France hit 8-14 from behind the line. In the second half, that dropped to 3-10. Star Gabby Williams had 16 in the first half, but just 4 in the second.
That’s exactly what we’ve gotten used to from Kara Lawson-coached teams. It didn’t happen in the first half like it did in the second, but when it turned on – and Lawson told her team that it was coming – France had no answer.
It was another brilliant run for Team USA, which has thoroughly dominated women’s basketball for roughly four decades.
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