The United States women’s basketball team emphatically recovered from a disappointing offensive showing against Italy, decisively defeating the Czech Republic 105-64 in Berlin on Monday. Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier led the charge, combining their efforts to establish early dominance that carried through the entire contest. Stewart’s aggressive play in the opening quarter set the tone, while Collier maintained the momentum in the second period as the Americans built a commanding 57-33 halftime advantage.
Stewart appeared determined to bounce back after a difficult shooting performance against Italy the previous day, when she struggled early before hitting crucial baskets down the stretch in a tight 55-52 victory. Against the Czechs, Stewart demonstrated her complete skill set, finishing with 19 points on efficient shooting while also contributing seven rebounds and six assists in limited playing time. Collier added 12 points, and the team’s offensive execution represented a stark contrast to their lowest-scoring performance in decades against Italy.
The lopsided victory extended the U.S. tournament winning streak to 33 consecutive games and secured the Americans’ position atop Group D. Coach Kara Lawson emphasized that her veteran players simply needed reminding of their capabilities between games. The U.S. will face the winner of Tuesday’s Hungary-Japan matchup in Thursday’s quarterfinal round, continuing their pursuit of another World Cup championship.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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