USA Completes Comeback Over France to Punch Ticket to FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup Final

21 July 2024

USA 84, France 66

The United States earned a berth to the 2024 FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup gold medal game with an 84-66 victory over France at Domo De La Feria in León, Mexico.

Today was the sixth meeting between the United States and France in U17 Women’s World Cup history. The Americans improved to 6-0 all-time.

The U.S. will face the winner of the Spain-Canada semifinal on Sunday at 10:30 p.m. ET.

View the USA-France box score here.

TEAM NOTES

How It Happened: The Americans faced a deficit after the opening frame for the first time this tournament, as France led 24-14 after 10 minutes. France shot 71.4% (10-14 FG) from the field and 50% from three (2-4 3FG) in the first quarter. The Americans struggled to find their offensive footing but cut the deficit to two at the 2:26 mark before France rattled off an 8-0 run to take a 40-30 lead into the locker room.

At the 6:58 mark in the third quarter, France had a 16-point advantage (50-34). The USA then rattled off a 15-0 run, led by Jerzy Robinson’s 5 points and capped by two Jordyn Palmer free throws with 3:26 left in the third. The Americans went into the fourth quarter tied, 55-55.

The U.S. took their first lead on a Robinson 3-point make from the corner to start the fourth frame and led the rest of the way. The team outscored France 54-26 in the second half.

Changing the Tied: The red, white and blue forced 25 French turnovers, which they converted into 39 points. It marks the fourth time that they have forced 20+ turnovers in a game.

Fourth Quarter Dominance: The United States had their best scoring output in the fourth quarter, tallying 31 points on 48% shooting (12-25 FG, 1-4 3FG, 4-5 FT) while holding France to 11 points (3-7 FG, 1-2 3FG, 4-8 FT) and forcing 7 turnovers.

PLAYER NOTES

Bjorn’s Big Moments: Addison Bjorn was instrumental in the American’s comeback, scoring 7 points, grabbing 6 rebounds, dishing out 2 assists and recording 2 steals. She finished a game-high +27 off the bench.

Second-Straight: McKenna Woliczko registered her second straight double-double, fueling the team with 14 points (5-11 FG, 4-4 FT) and 10 rebounds.

Record-Setting Robinson: Robinson recorded 29 points (8-26 FG, 12-15 FT) tonight against France, tying her record of the second most points scored by a U.S. player in a U17 World Cup game. Robinson recorded her first double-double of the competition with 11 rebounds and came away with 5 steals.

After tying the record for most free throw makes in a single game against Puerto Rico, Robinson knocked down 12-of-15 free throws to set the U.S. record for most makes and attempts in a game at the event.