Any uncertainty around Team USA disappeared almost immediately Thursday morning, as the Americans turned their FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup quarterfinal against Hungary into a 108-56 showcase of defensive pressure, transition offense, and overwhelming depth.
Napheesa Collier set the tone with 10 first-quarter points and finished with a game-high 19 to go along with seven rebounds, helping the United States secure a place in Saturday’s semifinals against the winner of Spain-Australia. France-China and Belgium-Germany comprised the other half of the quarterfinal bracket.
USA rewrote the quarterfinal record book, scoring an unprecedented 108 points while distributing a round-record 31 assists.
“Each game we’re trying to go out there and be better, be more efficient, execute better on defense, and I feel like we did a lot of that today,” said Collier, who was one of five Americans to finish in double figures. “Each game is going to get harder, and so we have two more left, and we want to make sure that we’re improving each game.”
Rhyne Howard finished with 15 points, while Kahleah Copper, Caitlin Clark and Jackie Young each had 10. Clark also had nine assists in the record-setting win.
USA woke up and decided to rewrite some #FIBAWWC records ✍️
🔷 108 points, most points by a team in a quarter-final
🔷 31 assists, first team to tally 30+ assists in a quarter-final pic.twitter.com/u9Mfvmghfn— FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) September 10, 2026
It was the team’s most complete game of the tournament, as it got 53 points from its starters and 55 from reserves.
The Americans generated 44 points off turnovers, while besting Hungary in fast-break points, 28-3.
“Having 30 assists really speaks to the game,” Collier said. “The way that we’re moving the ball. It’s not one-on-one basketball; we’re playing as a team. Multiple people are getting touches. We’re finding the best shot, not just a good shot, and so that reflects that.”
Phee took this personally.
15 PTS and 7/9 from the field in 13 mins. #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/U38VjZyFz8
— FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) September 10, 2026
Hungary never had an opportunity to settle into its preferred half-court style. USA repeatedly attacked the paint, forced turnovers and converted defensive stops into uncontested opportunities at the opposite end. The result was a dominant 36-12 opening quarter that effectively decided the game before Hungary could establish any rhythm.
Defensively, the Americans removed Hungary’s most dependable offensive weapon. Minnesota Lynx forward Dorka Juhász entered the quarterfinal averaging 15.3 points and 11 rebounds, but USA crowded her catches and contested everything around the basket. Juhász missed her first seven attempts, did not score until 2:26 remaining in the second quarter, and finished with only two points on 1-of-12 shooting.
The victory extended USA’s World Cup winning streak to 34 games since its semifinal loss to Russia in 2006. The Americans also preserved a remarkable historical standard: they have advanced to every World Cup medal round since the tournament adopted that format in 1983.
Team USA: 3 Takeaways from Blowout Win Over Hungary
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese Bond
The Americans’ ball movement was equally damaging, and one of the most glaring on-court relationships remains Clark and Angel Reese. Rivals since Reese’s LSU squad defeated Clark’s Iowa team in the 2023 national championship, the duo has built their FIBA World Cup chemistry by embracing roles that naturally complement one another: Clark creates advantages with pace and vision, while Reese converts those advantages through screening, rim-running and relentless interior activity.
CC and Angel. It’s a date?#FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/cBAz25lHl1
— FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) September 10, 2026
The pair supplied one of the first quarter’s best sequences, connecting on a perfectly executed pick-and-roll immediately before the buzzer. Clark waited for the defense to commit before finding Reese for a clean finish, punctuating USA’s 36-point opening period. Their developing chemistry adds another dimension to an offense already capable of attacking through numerous combinations.
“We’ve played against each other so many times, so I’m sure we know each other’s game like the back of each other’s hand,” Reese said. “So just easily dishing it off to her, she dishes off to me. She knows my slides. I kind of got one to her today, or maybe two. So it’s fun. We just continue to build chemistry because we know we’re going to be USA teammates for a while.”
How It Works
The pairing works because neither player has needed to dominate a possession. Clark supplies the delivery, Reese supplies the force, and both play with an aggressive tempo. Reese also enhances Clark’s transition game, as she can sprint to the middle of the floor, occupy opposing centers, and attack the offensive glass. Clark therefore does not need to call a set play to involve her; she can reward Reese’s effort with early passes, lobs and dump-offs.
The relationship didn’t begin in Berlin, though, as they gained experience together during the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game and reunited with Team USA during the March FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament. That additional court time helped them learn each other’s timing before the Americans entered the championship stage.
Angel Reese with another steal, and return of favor to CC 🙌#FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/Hl4Eei5XB0
— FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) September 10, 2026
No Wilson? No Problem!
Even without four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, Team USA’s frontcourt has remained the foundation of its run to a fifth consecutive World Cup title. In the paint, the Americans scored 52 of their 108 points on Thursday, outscoring Hungary by 36 in the area.
Breanna Stewart is the unit’s most complete weapon, as she’s able to score from the post, stretch defenses beyond the arc, facilitate from the elbows and protect the rim. Her ability to initiate offense also creates cutting lanes for teammates and prevents opponents from loading the paint.
Collier supplies similar flexibility with greater emphasis on movement and defensive disruption. Her 19-point performance against Hungary illustrated how effectively she runs the floor, attacks mismatches and converts opportunities without monopolizing possessions.
Tale of the Tape
Points in the Paint
- USA 32-28 China
- USA 20-22 Italy
- USA 52-30 Czechia
- USA 52-16 Hungary
Rebounding
- USA 47-41 China
- USA 42-43 Italy
- USA 55-35 Czechia
- USA 42-29 Hungary
The younger players have made their presence known, too.
Reese changes games through physicality, pursuing offensive rebounds, sprinting into early post position, and generating points through activity rather than designed touches.
Aliyah Boston offers a traditional interior presence, as she establishes position, finishes efficiently and gives the Americans a dependable defender against powerful centers. Kiki Iriafen adds youthful energy, mobility and rebounding, allowing coach Kara Lawson to maintain frontcourt intensity through constant rotations.
Jacked Up In Germany
Jackie Young is the only member of Team USA to score in double figures in all four games of its World Cup journey. Her consistency comes from her adaptability on a roster filled with elite scorers.
Through four games, the three-time WNBA champion is averaging 11.0 points per contest.
Just as she’s done during her WNBA career, Young has been particularly dangerous when she catches the ball against a rotating defense. Her sturdy 6-foot frame allows her to absorb contact, maintain her balance and finish through smaller guards.
When defenders close out too aggressively, she attacks the lane. If they retreat to protect the paint, she confidently steps back for a 3-pointer. The five-time WNBA All-Star’s ability to score at all three levels has made it hard for opponents to dictate where her shots come from.
W.G. Ramirez is a veteran sports writer from Las Vegas and a Staff Writer at Ballislife.com. Follow him on X at @WillieGRamirez.
