USA Women Defeat Puerto Rico in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — The U.S. women’s national team claimed its second victory in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, defeating host Puerto Rico 91-48. However, the win came with notable challenges, as the team struggled to maintain its usual rhythm. Caitlin Clark, who scored eight points, acknowledged the game’s uneven nature, calling it “a little clunky.” She noted that the team did not play to its full potential, despite a strong performance in their previous game against Senegal. The U.S. team’s performance against Puerto Rico contrasted sharply with their earlier win. On Wednesday, the squad displayed exceptional offensive flow and chemistry, appearing as if they had been playing together for a long time. This cohesion was absent in Thursday’s game, where the U.S. faced difficulties moving the ball, lost momentum, and committed 14 turnovers. Clark attributed part of the struggle to Puerto Rico’s zone defense, which disrupted the team’s transition game. However, she emphasized that many of the mistakes were self-inflicted, stemming from lapses in defensive coverage and communication. Head coach Kara Lawson echoed Clark’s assessment, stating that the team’s breakdowns resulted from a combination of factors. She highlighted the importance of precise defensive execution and adapting to opponents’ increased skill levels. “When your opponent increases in difficulty, they have more skill and power to exploit the things we are not doing well,” Lawson said. The coach also stressed the need for the team to refine its strategies as they continue to build chemistry. Despite having some of the world’s top basketball talent, Team USA is still in the process of developing team identity and cohesion.#paige_bueckers #kara_lawson #caitlin_clark #usa_women_team #fiba_world_cup_qualifiers
USA Women's Basketball Dominates Spain in FIBA Qualifier The United States women’s basketball team secured a resounding 84-70 victory over Spain on Tuesday, completing a flawless 5-0 performance in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup qualifying tournament held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The win solidified the Americans’ dominance in the competition, with standout performances from key players like Kahleah Copper, Kelsey Plum, and Caitlin Clark. Copper led the team with 20 points, while Plum added 18 and Dearica Hamby contributed 14. Caitlin Clark, known for her playmaking, recorded seven points and seven assists, showcasing her impact on both ends of the court. Paige Bueckers also played a role, scoring nine points to bolster the team’s offensive output. The victory marked the culmination of a successful tournament for the U.S. squad, which had already defeated Senegal, Puerto Rico, Italy, and New Zealand. Head coach Kara Lawson, who previously coached Duke University’s women’s team, guided the squad to a perfect record. The tournament, part of the path to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Germany, saw the U.S. team maintain its high level of play throughout the competition. The final game against Spain was a testament to the team’s depth and preparation, with the Americans maintaining a commanding lead from the outset. The U.S. team’s schedule in Puerto Rico included a series of high-scoring wins, with notable margins such as 110-46 against Senegal and 101-46 against New Zealand. The final showdown against Spain saw the Americans take control early, with a 12-point lead at halftime and a 20-point advantage by the end of the third quarter. The final score of 84-70 underscored the team’s ability to execute under pressure and capitalize on opportunities.#kelsey_plum #usa_women_basketball #fiba_qualifier #kara_lawson #caitlin_clark
