Team USA Overcomes France 97–79 to Win Fifth Straight FIBA Women’s World Cup
BERLIN — Team USA is once again the champion of the world.
The United States erased a double-digit first-half deficit, completely flipped the game after halftime and defeated France 97–79 Sunday to capture its fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup championship.
It wasn’t easy early.
France came out firing and built a lead of as many as 14 points, putting the Americans in an unfamiliar position in the championship game. But Team USA stayed composed, chipped away at the deficit and entered halftime trailing only 45–43.
Then everything changed.
The Americans exploded for 30 points in the third quarter while holding France to just 12, turning a two-point halftime deficit into a 73–57 advantage heading into the fourth.
France never recovered.
Team USA outscored France again in the fourth quarter and closed out the 97–79 victory, extending one of the most dominant championship runs in international basketball history.
Jackie Young Named Gold Medal Player of the Game
Jackie Young was named the Gold Medal Player of the Game, capping a terrific championship performance.
Young finished with:
● 18 points
● 5 assists
● 6 rebounds
Her scoring, playmaking and two-way impact were critical as Team USA recovered from France’s early surge.
Young wasn’t simply along for the ride.
She was one of the players who helped change the game.
And when the Americans needed steady production on the biggest stage, Young delivered.
🔥 Breanna Stewart Sets the Tone
Breanna Stewart led all Team USA scorers with 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double.Stewart’s veteran presence became particularly important once France built its early lead. Rather than allowing the deficit to snowball, Team USA gradually settled into its offense and eventually took control.
Stewart was at the center of that response.
🇺🇸 Team USA’s Stars Step Up
Young wasn’t the only American to make a major impact. Kahleah Copper added 15 points, continuing her strong tournament play. Chelsea Gray finished with 14 points and five assists, giving Team USA another veteran playmaker capable of controlling the game.
Caitlin Clark added 12 points and four assists, providing an important offensive spark. Clark also knocked down two three-pointers and helped the Americans regain momentum late in the first half.
The combination of veteran leadership and contributions throughout the roster ultimately proved too much for France.
France Comes Out Swinging
France deserves credit for making Team USA work for the championship. Dominique Malonga led France with 21 points, while Gabby Williams scored 20 points and dished out seven assists. The French team controlled significant portions of the opening half and looked capable of pulling off the upset.
But France’s offense struggled after halftime.
The Americans’ defensive pressure increased, the shots stopped falling for France and Team USA began turning stops into transition opportunities.
The result was an 18-point championship victory.
Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring
| Quarter | USA | France | Score |
| 1st | 17 | 20 | France 20-17 |
| 2nd | 26 | 25 | France 45-43 |
| 3rd | 30 | 12 | USA 73-57 |
| 4th | 24 | 22 | USA 97-79 |
The Game-Changing Quarter
USA 30, France 12 — Third Quarter
That was the championship-winning stretch.
Team USA entered halftime down two.
Eight minutes later, the Americans had a 16-point lead.
🇺🇸 Team USA Leaders
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
| Breanna Stewart | 22 | 9 | — |
| Jackie Young 🥇 | 18 | 6 | 5 |
| Kahleah Copper | 15 | — | — |
| Chelsea Gray | 14 | — | 5 |
| Caitlin Clark | 12 | — | 4 |
🇫🇷 France Leaders
| Player | PTS | AST |
| Dominique Malonga | 21 | — |
| Gabby Williams | 20 | 7 |
| Valériane Ayayi | 8 | — |
Team USA: 97 points
France: 79 points
USA rebounding: 36
France rebounding: 27
Williams and Malonga combined for 41 of France’s 79 points.
The available final-game reporting does not expose every statistical category for every rostered player. Rather than inventing missing numbers, this recap lists the player totals confirmed by the available final box-score reporting.
🏆 FIVE STRAIGHT
This championship gives Team USA its fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup title.It is also the United States’ 12th World Cup championship and its seventh title in the last eight editions. (
The Americans didn’t simply win the final.
They survived adversity throughout the tournament and finished the job when the gold medal was on the line.
France pushed Team USA harder than the final score suggests. The Americans simply found another gear.
🇺🇸 The Final Word
France had the momentum. France had the lead.
France had Team USA uncomfortable. Then the Americans responded with an 18-point third-quarter swing.
USA 97. France 79.
Jackie Young — Gold Medal Player of the Game.
Team USA — World Champions. Again.
FIVE STRAIGHT.
