SYDNEY — Team USA continued their recent World Cup dominance, making it four straight gold medals, defeating China in the final 83-61.
Such was their dominance, the 22-point margin of victory is the largest in a Women’s World Cup final, eclipsing the previous mark of 20 points also set by Team USA.
A’Ja Wilson capped off her impressive 2021-22 season, being named MVP of the World Cup, leading USA with 19 points and five rebounds in the deciding game.
Wilson adds a gold medal to her WNBA championship, Most Valuable Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards this season for the Las Vegas Aces.
Her Aces teammates combined in the final with Kelsey Plum recording 17 points, while Chelsea Gray chipped in across the board with 10 points, eight assists, four rebounds and three steals, earning Player of the Game honors.
Feels like we’re always tweeting about Chelsea setting up A’ja…right???#FIBAWWC x @usabasketball 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/q2fi08nqF6
— FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) October 1, 2022
China took the fight to the USA early and after Jin Weina hit a 3-pointer at the half-time buzzer, they trailed by 10 points heading into the break, before the USA blew the game open in the third, winning the period 25-14.
For all China’s determination, USA’s crisp execution and defensive pressure proved too much, with their ability to turn defense into offense the difference in the gold medal game.
Recording 13 steals and five blocks, Team USA scored 19 points off turnovers to China’s four, meanwhile, they outscored China on the fastbreak 18-4.
The USA has now won 30 consecutive games at the FIBA World Cup, with their last defeat coming in the semifinals in 2006 against Russia.
Despite the loss, China will walk away from Sydney with their heads held high, earning their first World Cup medal since winning silver in 1994.
⭐️ @Google 𝐀𝐋𝐋-𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 ⭐️
🇨🇦 Bridget Carleton
🇦🇺 Steph Talbot
🇺🇸 Breanna Stewart
🇨🇳 Han Xu
🇺🇸 A’ja Wilson #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/xCUWDxCu3F— FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup (@FIBAWWC) October 1, 2022
USA stars A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart were named to the tournament’s All-Star Five, alongside Canada’s Bridget Carleton, China’s Han Xu, and Australia’s Steph Talbot.
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