Team USA survives upset scare to Italy in FIBA Women's World Cup after poor shooting performance

Team USA picked up its second Group D victory of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup on Sunday with a narrow 55-52 win over Italy in a game that turned into an upset scare.

The Americans came into the matchup with plenty of confidence. When the U.S. faced Italy in the World Cup qualifiers in March, it won 93-59. Sunday's rematch was a different story.

On the final possession, Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini tried to hit a 3 or draw a foul to tied it, but during the possession, she felt she had been poked in the eye. It wasn't called; she missed a heave, and the clock ran out after USA's Breanna Stewart was able to secure the rebound.

After the final whistle, Zandalasini was incensed and had to be held back by teammates and coaches as she was giving the referees a piece of her mind.

Zandalasini apologized to the referees after the game.

"I would like to apologize for how I reacted in the end. To the opposing team, it was a lot of emotions today, but I should have kept them inside of me a little better. I want to apologize to the referees. It's just when I wear this jersey, it's just a different beast that comes out of me, and now I feel embarrassed for how I reacted."

"I would like to apologize for how I reacted in the end. To the opposing team, it was a lot of emotions today, but I should have kept them inside of me a little better.

I want to apologize to the referees. It's just when I wear this jersey, it's just a different beast that comes out of me, and now I feel embarrassed for how I reacted."

The United States got out to a 19-8 lead in the first quarter using quick possessions and stifling defense. Italy slowly clawed back into the game in the second and third quarters as it played better defense as a team, swapping between zone and man-to-man schemes.

Team USA also went ice cold shooting from the field. The Americans continued to attempt 3s, but didn't make one until Paige Bueckers connected from deep with 1:50 left in the third quarter. Before that first make, the U.S. was 0-for-10 from beyond the arc.

The Americans went into the fourth quarter up 42-39. This started plenty of back-and-forth action in the final frame.

Chelsea Gray hit a jumper with 1:07 left in the game to put the United States up 55-50. Italy responded with a jumper of its own. Jackie Young came down with a huge rebound, but even though the Americans couldn't capitalize on the extra possession, the extra time helped to chip away at the game clock.

The win qualifies Team USA for the quarterfinals of the World Cup. The United States will be back in action Monday against Czechia (2:45 p.m. ET, TNT).

Team USA's offensive pace is not sustainable

Bueckers helped to run a fast-paced offense in the first quarter. The Americans did a good job cleaning up the glass and capitalizing on turnovers.

Team Italy looked slower on offense, trying to be more methodical in attacking Team USA's stout defense. This difference favored the Americans in the first quarter, but Italy in the second quarter.

The Americans were able to rely on their quick possessions, but then, when the shots stopped falling, the Italians took advantage. Team USA shot only 32% in the first half, and the lead was bolstered by 12 free-throw makes compared to Italy's 5.

Their cold spell from the floor continued into the second half. Team USA finished the game 16 of 56 from the floor for a 29% shooting percentage. If the Americans didn't convert 22 of their 30 free-throw attempts, compared to 14 of 20 from the charity stripe for the Italians, Team USA may have lost.

This was Team USA's lowest point total in the FIBA Women's World Cup since 1971.

Can Team USA solve its beyond-the-arc issues?

The Americans ultimately held off Italy, but it wasn't because of an influx of 3s. Team USA went 0-for-3 in both the first and second quarters from beyond the arc.

Team USA finally hit a 3 with 1:50 left in the third quarter. Bueckers tied the game up at 39, but the Americans were 0-for-10 from deep before she hit that shot.

The United States missed another 3-pointer and finished the game a measly 1-of-12 from 3-point range.

Caitlin Clark, Kahleah Copper, and Rhyne Howard went a combined 0-for-7 from beyond the arc.

The U.S. played clean basketball in its first game against China, committing only eight turnovers. Against Italy, the United States committed 13 turnovers.

The good news for the Americans is that the Italians had 16 turnovers, so that metric did favor Team USA, but it is an easy aspect of the game to improve upon before the next matchup.

Team USA continues to have a balanced attack

If you watch these WNBA stars play for their respective teams, it is not uncommon for them to lead their team in points by a wide margin.

The Americans' All-Star team has done a great job in two games of spreading the ball around. Against China, Team USA was led by Bueckers, Clark, and Howard, who each had 14 points.

Against Italy, only Jackie Young finished with 10 points. Angel Reese had eight points off the bench, and Napheesa Collier, Copper, and Aliyah Boston each finished with six points apiece.