Key Takeaways:
- Angel Reese Team USA remains dominant but shows vulnerabilities.
- Angel Reese is emerging as an important defensive contributor.
- International competition is becoming more challenging.
Angel Reese and Team USA survived one of their toughest tests in recent international competition, edging Italy 55-52 at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin on September 6. The victory kept the United States unbeaten in Group D and secured its place in the quarterfinals, but the narrow margin exposed weaknesses that had rarely troubled the dominant American side.
The United States appeared to be in control early, racing to a 19-8 lead after the opening quarter. Italy gradually changed the complexion of the game, slowing the pace and using physical defense to disrupt the Americans’ offensive rhythm. By halftime, the U.S. advantage had been reduced to 30-24, and Italy continued to chip away after the break.
The game became increasingly tense in the fourth quarter as Italy refused to allow the Americans to pull away. Team USA eventually found enough composure to close out the contest, with Breanna Stewart, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray making important contributions during the decisive stretch.
Italy had a final opportunity to force overtime when Cecilia Zandalasini attempted a three-pointer in the closing seconds. The shot missed, allowing the United States to escape with a three-point victory and extend its remarkable World Cup-winning run.
Angel Reese team USA provides energy when offense stalls
Angel Reese Team USA emerged as a key storyline in a game where scoring proved unusually difficult for the Americans. She finished with eight points and three rebounds, while her physical presence and defensive activity provided the team with energy during stretches when its offense struggled.
Reese’s contribution became particularly important as several of the United States’ biggest offensive names failed to find their rhythm. Jackie Young led the Americans with 10 points and was the only U.S. player to reach double figures. Stewart added 11 rebounds, helping Team USA maintain an advantage on the glass despite her own shooting struggles.
The Angel Reese Team USA storyline also stood out as the Americans struggled to find their offensive rhythm.
Caitlin Clark endured a particularly difficult outing after an impressive opening game against China. Clark, who had recorded 14 points and 11 assists in the tournament opener, scored only one point against Italy after going 0-for-6 from the field. She also missed all three of her attempts from beyond the arc.
The overall offensive struggles made defensive contributions even more valuable. Reese’s ability to provide physicality around the basket and compete for possessions helped the United States remain in control despite its inability to consistently convert scoring opportunities.
The result also highlighted the depth of the American roster. Rather than relying on one dominant scorer, Team USA managed to survive through timely plays from multiple veterans and emerging stars.
Italy exposes team USA’s vulnerabilities
The most concerning element for Team USA was its shooting performance. The Americans converted only 16 of 56 field-goal attempts, finishing at approximately 29% from the floor. They were also just 1-for-12 from three-point range, an unusually poor shooting display for a team packed with elite offensive talent.
Italy, meanwhile, executed its defensive strategy effectively and kept the Americans uncomfortable for most of the final three quarters. Cecilia Zandalasini led Italy with 14 points and seven rebounds, while her teammates repeatedly forced Team USA into difficult shots and disrupted its normal offensive flow.
The result represented a significant missed opportunity for Italy but also demonstrated how competitive the international women’s game has become. The Italian team pushed the tournament favorite to the final possession and came within one successful three-pointer of forcing overtime.
For the United States, the victory ultimately delivered both reassurance and a warning. The team remains unbeaten and has advanced to the quarterfinals, but its performance against Italy showed that individual talent cannot compensate indefinitely for poor shooting and inconsistent offense.
As the knockout stage approaches, Angel Reese Team USA will need greater efficiency from its star players and continued defensive intensity from contributors such as Reese. The Americans escaped their biggest scare of the tournament so far, but Italy demonstrated that the path to another World Cup title may be considerably more challenging than expected.
