Group USA routs Canada to achieve FIBA Ladies's Basketball World Cup gold-medal recreation – ESPN

SYDNEY — Group USA wasn’t happy with the way it performed at instances in its 33-point win Thursday over a gritty Serbia squad within the 2022 FIBA World Cup quarterfinals, regardless of the ultimate rating.

However in Friday’s semifinal, the Individuals did not go away any ambiguity about how robust they’re trying of their quest to earn their fourth consecutive World Cup championship, demolishing Canada 83-43 to advance to the gold-medal recreation Saturday at 2 a.m. ET. They will play China — which beat Australia within the different semifinal 61-59 — in a rematch of their group stage assembly, which the U.S. received by 14.

High-ranked USA scored the primary 15 factors of Friday’s recreation and by no means seemed again, holding Canada — the No. 4 group within the FIBA world rankings — to a seven-point first quarter and an eight-point third interval, in addition to 22% taking pictures from the sphere.

The USA has now received 29 consecutive World Cup video games, relationship again to the bronze-medal match in 2006. Group USA has dropped only one recreation in a serious worldwide competitors (World Cup and Olympics) since 1994.

Enjoying in its second World Cup semifinal and first since 1986, Group Canada had surpassed many expectations this event, ending second in Group B after a ninth-place end on the Tokyo Olympics that prompted the group to half methods with its former coach.

With Victor Lapeña now on the helm, the group discovered success defensively, however that depth wasn’t current from the get-go towards the U.S.

On Friday, the U.S. grew to become the primary group to carry an opponent to underneath 50 factors in a World Cup semifinal and recorded the biggest margin of victory (40) for that spherical of the occasion.

“I feel that we weren’t pleased with the best way that we began yesterday towards Serbia,” reigning World Cup MVP Breanna Stewart mentioned. “There have been moments that we performed effectively, however there have been numerous moments that we did not, and actually ensuring that that was the purpose of emphasis at this time. It was the best way that we began the sport, particularly with our starters, that 5, we needed to be sure that we set the tone for the complete recreation.”

Canada will face dwelling group Australia for the bronze medal at 11 p.m. ET Friday.

The USA held Canada scoreless on its first 9 pictures earlier than the Canadians lastly noticed one undergo the basket. Shakira Austin‘s free throws put the U.S. up 27-7 on the finish of the primary quarter, and as soon as the starters had been reinserted into the sport halfway via the second, the U.S. kicked issues right into a subsequent gear, coming into halftime up 45-21.

It wasn’t a flawless first 20 minutes for Group USA — it dedicated 9 turnovers — however its protection, which has been its calling card this event, held regular to construct its lead.

“I used to be actually happy with our group’s consideration to element within the scouting report. Canada’s had a terrific event,” USA nationwide group coach Cheryl Reeve mentioned. “I needed them to ensure they understood what they simply did and the way arduous they made it for Canada to attain the ball. And Canada’s an excellent defensive group, in order that was a high quality win for us. Our purpose is to win a gold medal, and we’re in place to try this.”

A 22-8 third quarter, capped by a buzzer-beater half-court heave from Sabrina Ionescu, prolonged the USA result in 67-29.

The USA’s three-headed monster of Stewart (17 factors), A’ja Wilson (15 factors, 12 rebounds) and Kelsey Plum (14 factors) mixed to outscore Canada 46-43, whereas Alyssa Thomas added 10 factors.

The brand new-look Group USA returns to its normal spot within the gold-medal recreation regardless of having eight gamers on its roster who had by no means appeared in a World Cup earlier than. 5 of its 12 gamers arrived in Sydney shortly after the WNBA Finals, with the three champion Las Vegas Aces gamers lacking the primary two video games of the event

“I imply, it isn’t simple to get right here,” Jewell Loyd mentioned. “It could generally look like that, nevertheless it’s actually not simple for us to get right here, and with a brand new group and new faces, it is thrilling.”

Two-way wing Kahleah Copper, who began a number of video games this event, missed the semifinal with a left hip harm she suffered within the quarterfinal. Reeve mentioned that there is “an opportunity” she’ll take the court docket Saturday and that she is taken into account questionable.