The United States delivered a record-breaking performance to dismantle Hungary 108-56 in the quarterfinals of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup on Thursday in Berlin, securing a spot in Saturday's semifinal against the winner of Spain-Australia.
Napheesa Collier led the charge with a tournament-high 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting, adding seven rebounds in what was her best outing in a Team USA jersey — including the 2020 and 2024 Olympics. The Minnesota Lynx forward, who returned to action in July after offseason surgery on both ankles, set the tone from the opening tip with 10 points and three rebounds in the first quarter alone.
"We're two of the older people on the team... we have to be able to set the tone and set an example," Collier said, referencing the veteran leadership she and Breanna Stewart were tasked with providing to a squad featuring seven newcomers.
Caitlin Clark orchestrated the offense with 10 points and nine assists, one dish shy of her second double-double of the tournament. Angel Reese added nine points on 4-of-5 shooting, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, with the college rivals-turned-teammates producing a recurring two-woman show. Clark assisted on six of Reese's points, and Reese returned the favor by setting up Clark in transition.
"We've played against each other so many times. I'm sure we know each other's game like the back of each other's hand," Reese said. "She knows my spots. I kinda got one to her today, maybe two. So it's fun."
The Americans shot a blistering 60 percent from the field and 12-of-23 from three-point range, a dramatic reversal from their 1-of-12 performance from beyond the arc in Monday's 55-52 scare against Italy. Aliyah Boston knocked down back-to-back threes in the first quarter, while Rhyne Howard — who leads the WNBA in made three-pointers this season — finished 3-of-5 from deep after scoring 15 points off the bench.
Team USA's 31 assists on 40 made field goals set a World Cup quarterfinal record, underscoring the ball movement that has defined the team's best performances. "It's not one-on-one basketball. We're playing as a team," Collier said. "Multiple people are getting touches. We're finding the best shot, not just a good shot."
The 52-point margin of victory was the Americans' largest of the tournament and extended their World Cup winning streak to 34 consecutive games. The result was never in doubt: the U.S. led for all but 19 seconds.
Hungary, which had enjoyed a strong run through the group stage, had no answer for the depth and athleticism of the American roster. Minnesota Lynx teammate Dorka Juhasz, who faced Collier on opposite sides, was among those who struggled to contain the onslaught.
Head coach Kara Lawson now turns her attention to the semifinal on Saturday, where the Americans will pursue a fifth consecutive World Cup title. After the Italy hiccup, Thursday's statement performance suggests the team is peaking at the right time.
Sources
- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25497938-usa-vs-hungary-box-score-reaction-clark-reese-2026-fiba-womens-world-cup-ko-bracket
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2026/09/10/angel-reese-caitlin-clark-usa-vs-hungary-winners-and-losers-fiba-world-cup/91686710007/
