USA Open FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying With 110-46 Win Over Senegal

12 March 2026

USA 110, SEN 46

The USA Basketball Women's National Team opened its Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament with a 110-46 win over Senegal on Wednesday night in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The USA, who have already qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin by winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, has four games left in the round robin tournament: Puerto Rico (Thursday), Italy (Saturday), New Zealand (Sunday) and Spain (Tuesday).

View the USA-Senegal box score here.

POSTGAME NOTES

Starting Out: The USA tipped off Women’s World Cup Qualifying with a starting five of Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Dearica Hamby, Angel Reese and Jackie Young. Monique Billings, Paige Bueckers, Rae Burrell, Caitlin Clark and Kiki Iriafen made their senior debuts in Wednesday’s win. Rhyne Howard and Kelsey Plum also saw the court, making all 12 rostered players seeing action and scoring in the contest.

Kudos Kara: Kara Lawson, named the USA Basketball Women’s National Team head coach through 2028 on Sept. 22, 2025, earned her first victory at the helm over Senegal today. A gold-medal winner as an assistant coach (2024 Paris Olympics), coach (USA 3x3, 2020 Tokyo) and player (2008 Beijing Olympics), Lawson brings a wealth of experience to the USA bench.

Plenty in 20: The Americans put on a show in the first half, shooting 70% from the field (21-30 FG) and building a 40-point advantage (59-19) going into intermission. Ball movement was key as the U.S. racked up 16 assists on the 21 made buckets in the first two quarters. Sharing the ball led to easy looks as the USA had a 20-6 advantage in points in the paint. The USA didn’t trail after the 8:39 mark of the first quarter, when the Americans embarked on a 15-0 run—largest of the game—to take control of the game.

By the Numbers: The USA moves to 8-0 all-time versus Senegal in senior women’s competition. In tonight’s win, the USA’s 110 points were a new team-high for points scored in a game at World Cup Qualifying (previous: 93 vs. PUR on 2/12/26).

Standout Performers: Howard led the U.S. with 21 points (6-8 FG, 6-8 3FG, 3-3 FT), the most points scored by an American in World Cup Qualifying (previous: Plum, 16 vs. BEL on 2/11/22). She was supported by Clark’s double-double of 17 points (4-5 FG, 4-5 3FG, 5-5 FT) and 12 assists. In addition to Clark, Billings (10), Bueckers (9), Burrell (5), Iriafen (6) and Reese (6) scored in their USA senior debuts.

Sharing is Caring: The USA’s 30 assists were the most in a World Cup Qualifying Game (previous 27 vs. PUR on 2/12/26). Individually, Clark’s 12 dimes set a USA record for the most in a World Cup Qualifying Game (previous: Gray, 8 vs. BEL on 2/11/22).

Road to Berlin: By winning the 2025 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, the USA automatically qualified for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Sept. 4-13 in Berlin. The FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournaments, hosted in four different locations on three continents, features six teams playing on a round-robin basis in hope of finishing in the top three to earn a berth to Berlin. The U.S. is chasing a fifth consecutive World Cup gold medal (12th overall).