Caitlin Clark had 14 factors and 11 assists to assist the United States beat China, led by 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu, 94-61 in its women’s basketball World Cup opener Friday in Berlin.
Rhyne Howard scored 14 factors and Jackie Young added 12 for the Americans, who’ve now received 31 consecutive World Cup video games relationship again to a loss in the 2006 semifinals.
This is a interval of transition for the U.S. with a younger roster that features the trio of Clark, Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese. None of them have been in the beginning lineup, however they have been on the court docket collectively to shut out the opening quarter, which the Americans dominated to go up 27-14.
China fought again in the beginning of the second quarter behind Zhang. The 19-year-old, who was making her first World Cup look, towered over the Americans. On protection, she stood beneath the basket, making it troublesome for the Americans to attain inside or get second photographs off misses. On offense, the Americans continuously double-teamed her when she caught the ball.
Zhang’s first basket of the sport obtained China inside 33-25 with 6:21 left in the half. The U.S. then went on a 16-4 run to shut the primary half up 49-29. Young had a three-point play and Breanna Stewart scored the ultimate 4 factors of the spurt.
China paired Zhang with 6-10 Han Xu in the third quarter, presenting an much more potent defensive wall towards the U.S. China obtained inside 53-37, however no nearer as Clark, Bueckers and Reese helped spark a 17-5 run to shut the interval.
Zhang completed with 13 factors, hitting 9 of her 10 free throws. Han added 11 factors and 10 rebounds.
“Their size in the frontcourt clearly is a matchup problem for, I think, every team in the world, and I thought we did a pretty good job managing that,” USA forward coach Kara Lawson stated.
“You’ve got to give our post players a lot of credit,” Clark stated. “They really battled, and Coach Kara really challenged them before the game to be physical … Aliyah [Boston] came in and gave us great minutes guarding [Zhang].”
The U.S., which is generally jeered by opposing crowds in worldwide tournaments, had the followers backing it Friday. Clark, who routinely spends time earlier than video games signing autographs for followers when she performs in the WNBA, signed a basketball and took a photograph with a younger woman who was sporting a Fever T-shirt with Clark’s title on the again.
“It’s so fun to see all of the fans, and their excitement, and how much the women’s game is growing globally,” Clark added. “Even after the game, there’s just so much excitement — and not only for myself, for so many players on this team, and that’s a really cool thing. I think that’ll only continue to grow as we progress through the tournament.”
The U.S. will play Italy on Saturday in one other pool sport, whereas China faces the Czech Republic on Saturday.
Elsewhere in event play, host Germany fell to Spain, 83-53.
Awa Fam led Spain with 17 factors regardless of boisterous assist from house followers in the 14,000-seat Berlin Arena. Germany, which by no means held a lead in the sport, has dropped all eight conferences with Spain.
Leonie Fiebich scored 13 factors to lead Germany, adopted by Nyara Sabally with 10.
Spain subsequent performs Mali on Saturday, whereas Germany faces Japan, who squeaked by Mali on Friday.
Saki Hayashi knocked down 9 3-pointers to lead Japan to a 102-97 victory. Altogether, Japan hit 20 3s to beat its shared group report from 1994.
France lived as much as its billing as one of the favorites with a complete 99-53 win over Hungary.
Dominique Malonga, Gabby Williams and Marine Johannes every scored 17 factors for the Olympic silver medalist, who will play the Republic of Korea. Hungary faces Nigeria subsequent.
Australia additionally received its opener Friday. Steph Talbot scored 19 factors to lead the Aussies over Puerto Rico 70-54.
Australia misplaced its opening video games on the final World Cup and on the Olympics, so the victory takes the strain off coach Sandy Brondello’s group with the 4 group winners in the expanded 16-team event progressing straight to the quarterfinals.
Australia subsequent faces Turkey on Sunday. Puerto Rico takes on Belgium in their subsequent sport.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.