Breanna Stewart, Jackie Young and Caitlin Clark’s emergence off the bench propelled the Americans to a gold-medal victory over France, 97-79.It is Team USA’s fifth consecutive gold medal in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup and seventh in the last eight tournaments.The U.S.
had to fight and claw its way back into the game after trailing in the first half.But they outscored France 30-12 in the third quarter and used the run to help solidify the victory.THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE.
DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!France's Mamignan Toure guardcs Caitlin Clark of the United States, during the Women's Basketball World Cup final match between the United States and France in Berlin, Sunday, Sept.13, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)Stewart had a double-double to finish off the French.
She scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.The New York Liberty star’s presence on the interior proved to be a game-changer.
She was plus-8 on the floor and shot 70% from the field.Jackie Young added 18 points, six rebounds and five assists.Young was plus-15 on the floor and shot 50% from the field.
She was named the player of the game.Clark played about 12 minutes off the bench but provided some key buckets for the Americans.She made a buzzer-beating shot before halftime to cut the deficit to two points.
As the U.S.continued to surge into the fourth quarter, Clark hit a big 3-pointer to put France on its heels.She finished with 12 points and three assists.Though Clark wasn’t a starter in the USA lineup, her presence on the floor in key moments of the game appeared to be fruitful.
While the starters needed a breather after getting back into the game, Clark and the rest of her teammates off the bench helped provide the necessary scoring to keep France at bay.France started out hot.Breanna Stewart, of the United States, rebounds over France's Valeriane Ayayi during the Women's Basketball World Cup final match between the United States a...