USA kept its dream of a fifth straight World Cup title alive with a 108-56 rout of Hungary on Thursday morning, earning a spot in the semifinals.
Napheesa Collier seized the spotlight, dropping 19 points and pulling down seven boards. She added ten before halftime, while Breanna Stewart, who set the tournament’s single‑game high with 19 on Tuesday, contributed eight points, three rebounds and two assists against Hungary.
The quarterfinal was the U.S.’s most commanding performance, tallying 31 assists on 40 makes – a record for any World Cup quarterfinal. For my money, this was USA’s most dominant showing yet.
Defensively, the Americans stifled Hungary, limiting them to just eight shots in the first half and 22 overall. Meanwhile, the U.S. hit 40 of 68 attempts, including 12‑of‑23 from beyond the arc.
Coming in at 29 % from three, USA erupted early, with Chelsea Gray draining the first long‑range bucket midway through the opening quarter. Seven of the 12 players connected, pushing the team’s three‑point percentage to 52 %.
“Winning is fun,” laughed Kahleah Copper, who posted 10 points, five rebounds and two assists. “There’s nothing like it, and when you’ve reached the top you know the recipe.”
Coach Kara Lawson stuck with her tournament‑tested starting five – Gray, Copper, Collier, Stewart and Jackie Young – for the fourth Berlin matchup.
Lawson demanded the right energy level after the early tip‑off, and the U.S. obliged, forcing 13 turnovers, outscoring Hungary 32‑4 in the paint and shooting 65 % while assisting on 15 of 24 field goals before the break.
By the second quarter the squad ran like a well‑oiled machine, moving at a speed Hungary simply couldn’t match, which let Lawson rely heavily on her young core.
“It began with our defensive hustle,” Lawson explained. “We’d turned the ball over for 25 points by halftime, creating transition chances that built confidence. Every player is a proven scorer in the WNBA, so big nights are expected.”
Paige Bueckers entered first, replacing Copper, and Caitlin Clark subbed for Gray later in the opening quarter. Lawson closed the period with Bueckers, Clark, Collier, Rhyne Howard and Angel Reese on the floor. Clark’s pick‑and‑roll to Reese capped the quarter, stretching the lead to 24 points.
“After the first quarter it was basically the game,” Hungary coach Péter Völgyi observed.
Washington Mystics teammates Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen debuted in the third quarter after late roster additions caused by injuries to A’ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum. Citron exited a minute later after a jaw blow but returned to start the fourth.
The “young and turnt” unit closed out the game, with the starters resting the final ten minutes. Howard added 15 points, Clark 10 and nine assists, and the bench trio of Bueckers, Citron, Iriafen and Reese combined for 22 more. Can USA keep this momentum and claim a historic fifth gold?