Chemistry building for U.S., into FIBA semis after Hungary rout — SkimNews
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- Team USA routed Hungary 108-56 in the FIBA World Cup quarterfinals in Berlin, with the 108 points and 31 assists both setting records for a World Cup quarterfinal game.
- Napheesa Collier led all scorers with 19 points — a personal best with the senior national team — followed by 15 from Rhyne Howard and 10 each from Kahleah Copper, Caitlin Clark and Jackie Young.
- Coach Kara Lawson credited the rout to defensive intensity, noting the Americans scored 25 of their 44 first-half points off turnovers; Angel Reese added 9 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists off the bench.
- The Americans shot a tournament-best 58.8% from the field and matched their tournament high with 12 made three-pointers, a stark turnaround from the 29% they shot from deep in the group stage.
- The USA jumped ahead 36-12 after the first quarter and led 59-30 at halftime, outscoring Hungary 52-32 in the paint as Hungary's star post duo of Dorka Juhasz and Virag Takacs-Kiss combined for just four points.
- The semifinal awaits on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET against the winner of Spain vs. Australia, with the U.S. chasing its fifth straight gold and 12th overall; the 52-point margin was the program's second largest in a knockout-stage game since 2010.
- Players credited the win to growing team chemistry after arriving in Berlin with minimal preparation — the group last gathered in April and has now been together only about 10 days after leaving WNBA teams.
Why it matters: After a shaky group-stage outing that sparked questions about a hastily assembled roster, Team USA produced its sharpest, most balanced performance at exactly the right moment, with record-setting ball movement and defense-fueled transition offense signaling the team is peaking heading into medal-round play. Hungary's frontline — one of Europe's best — was neutralized to four combined points, validating Lawson's defensive game plan against a semifinal opponent that will likely be more skilled.
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