Entertainment
US women defeat China 94-61 in basketball World Cup opener
Caitlin Clark records 14 points and 11 assists as the Americans extend their World Cup win streak to 31 games.
Latest update: Added key tournament roster details regarding the absences of A'ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum, and China's Li Yueru.
The short version
- The United States opened the FIBA Women's World Cup in Berlin with a 94-61 victory over China.[Fox News · Associated Press]
- Caitlin Clark tallied 14 points and 11 assists, setting the highest assist mark for an American player at the tournament since 1998.[Fox News · Associated Press]
- China's 7-foot-3 center Zhang Ziyu scored 13 points in her World Cup debut.[Associated Press · Associated Press]
- The win marks 31 consecutive World Cup victories for the U.S. national team dating back to 2006.[Associated Press · Associated Press]
Key facts
- The United States defeated China 94-61 in the women’s basketball World Cup opener in Berlin.[Fox News · Associated Press]
- The win marked the 31st consecutive World Cup victory for the U.S. women's team dating back to the 2006 tournament semifinals.[Associated Press · Associated Press]
- Caitlin Clark recorded 14 points and 11 assists, the highest single-game assist total for a U.S. player in the World Cup since 1998.[Fox News · Associated Press]
- China's 7-foot-3 center Zhang Ziyu scored 13 points in her World Cup debut, shooting 9-of-10 from the free throw line.[Associated Press · Associated Press]
- China center Li Yueru was unable to compete in the tournament after her passport was lost in the mail.[Associated Press]
- The United States played without A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum, who were announced as missing the tournament and replaced by Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- Initial reports differed on whether the next U.S. group stage match against Italy is scheduled for Saturday or Sunday.[Fox News · Associated Press · Associated Press]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Caitlin Clark helps US beat China and 7-foot-3 Zhang Ziyu 94-61 in women’s World Cup openerAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press
- Caitlin Clark posts double-double as Team USA opens FIBA Women's World Cup with blowout win over ChinaFox News
- Clark and Bueckers shine in World Cup debuts as the US women rout China 94-61Associated Press · Wire: associated-press
- Duo standing 7-foot-3 and 6-10 will have teams looking up to China at women’s FIBA World CupAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press
- With a new-look roster and no A’ja Wilson the US FIBA World Cup title defense gets tougherAssociated Press · Wire: associated-press