USA Women’s Basketball Dominates China 94-61 Behind Caitlin Clark’s 11 Assists

This World Cup marks a major period of transition for Team USA. Headlining a fresh, young roster are the high-profile rookie trio of Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese. Although none of the three stars were in the starting lineup, they proved vital when brought on together to close out the opening quarter. Their fast-paced, high-energy play instantly propelled the Americans ahead, concluding the first period with a commanding 27-14 lead.

Navigating the Great Wall: Facing Zhang Ziyu

China mounted a spirited comeback early in the second quarter behind the presence of 7-foot-3 phenom Zhang Ziyu. Making her highly anticipated World Cup debut at just 19 years old, Zhang towered over the American defense and immediately changed the geometry of the court. On defense, her massive reach allowed her to anchor the paint under the basket, significantly hindering the Americans from scoring inside or securing second-chance offensive rebounds.

On the offensive end, the U.S. squad was forced to double-team Zhang almost every time she touched the ball down low. Her first field goal of the game capped off a push that brought China within eight points at 33-25 with 6:21 remaining in the first half. However, the U.S. responded with relentless pressure, executing a rapid 16-4 run to close the half up 49-29. Jackie Young sparked the burst with a tough three-point play, while veteran forward Breanna Stewart chipped in four consecutive points to cap off the dominant response.

Second-Half Surges and Global Fan Support

China attempted another tactical adjustment in the third quarter by pairing the 7-foot-3 Zhang alongside 6-foot-10 center Han Xu. The duo created a daunting defensive wall in the interior, allowing China to cut the deficit to 53-37. Yet, the young core of Clark, Bueckers, and Reese once again answered the call. The dynamic unit sparked a game-clinching 17-5 run to pull away for good before the final period. Zhang finished her international debut with 13 points, making nine of her 10 free throws, while Han contributed a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Beyond the action on the court, the American team experienced an unusually warm reception in Berlin. While U.S. basketball squads are often jeered by international crowds abroad, the local fans in Germany cheered loudly for the roster on Friday. Clark, known throughout her WNBA tenure for taking extra time before games to interact with young supporters, continued the tradition in Berlin. Before tip-off, she signed a basketball and took photos with a young fan proudly wearing an Indiana Fever jersey with Clark’s name on the back.

Looking Ahead in Group Play

The United States will quickly turn its attention to Saturday’s pool play matchup against Italy. Meanwhile, China will look to bounce back when they take on the Czech Republic on Saturday.