Caitlin Clark and Team USA escaped Sunday’s tightly contested matchup against Italy with a 55-52 win. They struggled from the field, converting just 16-of-56 attempts for 28.6%. This resulted in an unwanted development for the Americans.
It was the national team’s lowest-scoring FIBA Women’s World Cup game since 1971. Only one player scored in double digits. Jackie Young recorded 10 points and was the lone American to convert more than two field goals.
Angel Reese registered eight points, while Paige Bueckers added seven. Kahleah Copper, Napheesa Collier and Aliyah Boston each contributed six points. Team USA delivered an uncharacteristic performance, also missing eight of its 30 free throws.
The team’s four returning players, Breanna Stewart, Chelsea Gray, Collier and Copper, shot a combined 5-of-23 from the field.
As for Clark, the Indiana Fever star failed to build on her historic performance from Friday’s 94-61 win over China. In her World Cup debut, the three-time WNBA All-Star finished with 14 points and 11 assists, the most for a USA player in a FIBA World Cup game in 28 years.
Clark came crashing back down to earth on Sunday, scoring just one point on 0-for-6 shooting versus Italy. It was the first time in her career in which she did not make a single field goal, dating back to her college days with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Clark and Co. will wrap up their group phase schedule with a clash against the Czech Republic on Monday. They have already secured a quarterfinals berth, but maintaining their unbeaten record remains a priority.
Team USA seeks to win its fifth straight World Cup title.
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