Breanna Stewart paced the Americans at the 2026 FIBA World Cup on Saturday in Berlin, Germany.
Former UConn Huskies women's basketball standout Breanna Stewart led the way for Team USA on Saturday at the FIBA Women's World Cup in Berlin, Germany.
Stewart had 16 points and six rebounds as the Americans toppled Spain 76-66 in the tournament semifinals, setting up a meeting with France on Sunday for the gold medal.
It's the second time in five games that the Americans have played a close contest, as they only beat Italy by three (55-52) in the Group Stage. This game was tied at 56-56 entering the fourth quarter.
The US, though tested, still has not lost a World Cup game since 2006. The Americans have also won every Olympic gold medal since 1996. They beat France at the 2024 Paris Olympics 67-66 in a game that was decided in the final seconds. This will be the rematch of that excellent matchup.
Here's what you need to know:
--Three Americans were in double-figures, including Stewart (16), Kahleah Copper (13) and Jackie Young (12).
Team Collier forward Breanna Stewart (30) looks on before the 2025 WNBA All Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images--Young stars like UConn grad Paige Bueckers (6), Angel Reese (5) and Caitlin Clark (1) all struggled to make an offensive impact, but Bueckers did have three rebounds. Speaking of UConn, Napheesa Collier started the game and had seven points in 19 minutes.
--The US out-rebounded Spain 41-35, but committed one more turnover (15-14).
--The United States struggled from three-point range again, going just 3-of-18 (17 percent). They were 27-of-35 from free-throw line, which was the main separator. Spain had only 11 free-throw attempts. The Americans have been good at the free-throw line for the entirety of this tournament run.
About the final against France
The game will be played at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday. Unfortunately, the contest will be up against Week 1 of the NFL season and the US Open men's tennis final, meaning it likely won't do well from a viewership standpoint.
The French team is led by former UConn standpoint Gabby Williams, who was the Defensive Player of the Year in 2017. She was also a two-time Associated Press All-American, and a two-time All-AAC selection. She won two national championships during her time at Connecticut.
The WNBA season will resume on Thursday when this tournament is over.
Elsewhere in UConn women's basketball news
Former UConn star Swin Cash is being mentioned as a possible replacement for Cathy Engelbert as the WNBA Commissioner. Engelbert is retiring at the end of the calendar year.
Cash is a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and one of the most decorated players in Huskies history.
