The United States women's basketball team secured a commanding 105-64 victory over the Czech Republic in Berlin on Monday. Led by Breanna Stewart's 19 points, the Americans rebounded from a narrow 55-52 win against Italy to extend their tournament winning streak to 33 games.
A massive response to the 55-52 scare against Italy
The US team's performance in Berlin on Monday was a stark contrast to their struggle on Sunday. as reported by Fox Sports, the Americans had just survived a narrow 55-52 victory over Italy, which stood as their worst preliminary-round game in five decades. This blowout against the Czech Republic serves as a vital corrective measure, ensuring the team's 33-game tournament winning streak—dating back to their 2006 semifinal loss to Russia—remains intact.
This sudden shift in scoring margin highlights the volatility that can occur when elite teams face unexpected defensive pressure. While the US has historically dominated these stages, the proximity of the Italian game suggested that the gap between the top seed and the field might be narrowing in this specific tournament cycle.
Breanna Stewart's 19-point masterclass in 16 minutes
Breanna Stewart dictated the tempo of the game from the opening tip . According to the reporrt, Stewart tallied 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in just over 16 minutes of play . She scored 11 of those points in the first 10 minutes, helping the US jump to an early 29-15 lead. While Stewart fell short of her 23-point career high set against China in 2018 , her efficiency was the primary driver behind the 57-33 halftime advantage.
Napheesa Collier also contributed significantly to the rout, scoring 12 points, seven of which came during a dominant second quarter. Stewart’s efficiency was so high that she was rested for the entire fourth quarter, which prevented her from chasing a triple-double. she finished just shy of becoming only the second player in World Cup history to achieve the feat, a milestone previously reached by Erika Dobrovicova in 1994.
The Czech Republic's winless exit from pool play
The Czech Republic strgugled to find any rhythm against the American defense. Despite being a former silver medalist in the 2010 World Cup,the Czech squad finished their pool play without a single win. This tournament marked their first appearance in the World Cup since 2014, and they were unable to replicate the historic success of players like Erika Dobrovicova, who recorded a triple-double against Spain in 1994.
The road to the quarterfinals via Hungary or Japan
While the US looks unstoppable, several variables remain unaddressed by the current results. It remains to be seen if the Americans can replicate this level of defensive pressure against the winner of the Hungary vs. Japan matchup on Tuesday. Furthermore, with Stewart sitting out the fourth quarter, observers are left to wonder if the team's rotation strategy will prioritize player rest or maintaining scoring momentum as the high-stakes knockout stages approach.
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