USA to Play For Gold Medal; Defeats Canada In Women's World Cup Semifinal

30 September 2022

ZOOM MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Head coach Cheryl Reeve (Sept. 30 @ 6:00 PM ET / Oct. 1 @ 8:00 AM AEST) and Alyssa Thomas (Sept. 30 @ 6:15 PM ET / Oct. 1 @ 8:15 AM AEST) will be available via Zoom prior to the gold medal game. Click here to join.

USA 83, CAN 43

The USA secured its spot in the Final at the 2022 FIBA Women's World Cup with a 83-43 triumph over Canada in the semifinals in Sydney. The Americans led wire-to-wire and became the first nation to hold an opponent under 50 points in a World Cup semifinal. The U.S. also set the record for largest margin of victory (40) in a semifinal (previously 36, USA defeated Spain 106-70 in 2010).

The U.S. improved to 7-1 all-time against Canada at the Women's World Cup. Including tonight, the U.S. has won six consecutive against their neighbor to the north.

China defeated Australia 61-59 in the second semifinal.

The full game box score is available here.

The postgame press conference is available here.

TEAM NOTES

It's Time for the Big One: The USA will play for its fourth consecutive FIBA Women's World Cup gold medal. In the last three World Cups, the U.S. defeated Australia (73-56 in 2018), Spain (77-64 in 2014) and Czech Republic (89-69 in 2010).

The USA will play for a medal in 10 straight Women's World Cups (dating back to 1986). The U.S. is on a 29-game winning streak at the World Cup (dating back to 2006) with three gold medals during the streak (2010, 2014, 2018).

Danger Zone: The USA is 7-0 all-time against China at the Women's World Cup (dating back to 1983). The largest margin of victory was 47 points in 2006 (119-72) and the narrowest was 10 in 1983 (101-91 in overtime).

The U.S. and China played in the Group Phase earlier this week (9/24/22) with the Americans winning 77-63.

Having Any Fun Yet?: Several members of the USA roster will be play for another World Cup gold medal. Breanna Stewart will compete for her third while Jewell Loyd, Kelsey Plum and A'ja Wilson are looking for their second titles.

Let’s Turn and Burn!: Canada was held scoreless for the first 4:51 of the game while the USA raced out to a 15-0 lead. The Americans shot 6-of-9 during that stretch while the Canadians were 0-for-9. The early lead for the U.S. marked the first time during the competition that Canada trailed by more than six points.

I Feel the Need, the Need for Speed: USA led 27-7 after the first quarter with Canada's seven points marking the second-lowest total to which the Americans held an opponent in a quarter this World Cup (Q3, 6, Puerto Rico on 9/23/22).

Great Balls of Fire: The U.S. shot 48.4% (31-64 FG) from the floor, 42.8% (6-14 3FG) from 3-point range and 88.2% (15-17 FT) from the line. Canada shot 21.9% (16-73 FG) from the field and 15.3% (4-26 3FG) from 3 and 87.5% (7-8 FT) at the charity stripe.

PLAYER NOTES

Your Reputation Precedes You, Captain: Shooting 4-of-5 from 3, Stewart set her World Cup career-high in 3-pointers. She had previously made no more than two in a game. Overall she finished with a game-high 17 points (6-11 FG), eight rebounds and three assists in 20 minutes.

D*mn This Kid is Good: Wilson, recording her first World Cup double-double, is the only American to score in double figures in each game she's played. Tonight she scored 15 points to go with 12 rebounds and three steals.

Take My Breath Away: Thomas was 5-for-5 to increase her shooting percentage for the World Cup to 67.3%. She finished with 10 points and three rebounds in 22 minutes for her sixth game in double-digits.

Guard Kahleah Copper (left hip) did not play.