{
  "id": 6036110,
  "title": "Team USA survives upset scare to Italy in FIBA Women's World Cup after poor shooting performance",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/team-usa-survives-upset-scare-to-italy-in-fiba-womens-world-cup-after",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-06T20:45:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/wnba/article/team-usa-survives-upset-scare-to-italy-in-fiba-womens-world-cup-after-poor-shooting-performance-204520018.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Team USA secured its second victory in Group D of the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup on Sunday with a close 55-52 win over Italy, after initially facing an upset scare. Coming into the match with confidence, the Americans had dominated their previous encounter in qualifiers, winning 93-59. However, Sunday's game proved otherwise. Team USA took an early 19-8 lead in the first quarter with quick possessions and strong defense. Italy responded by playing better defense, alternating between zone and man-to-man schemes. The Americans struggled to find their shooting rhythm, missing all 10 attempts beyond the arc until Paige Bueckers hit a deep three with 1:50 left in the third quarter. Before that, the U.S. was 0-10 from beyond the arc. The game saw plenty of back-and-forth action in the fourth quarter, with Chelsea Gray hitting a jumper with 1:07 left to put the U.S. up 55-50. Italy's Cecilia Zandalasini missed a three-pointer due to a disputed eye-poke call, and Breanna Stewart secured the rebound as the clock expired. This win qualifies Team USA for the quarterfinals, with the team set to face Czechia in their next match.",
  "summary": "Team USA has now won 32 consecutive FIBA World Cup games.",
  "key_points": [
    "Team USA wins 55-52 against Italy in Group D match",
    "Americans struggled with poor shooting, 0-10 from beyond the arc",
    "Qualifies Team USA for quarterfinals, next opponent Czechia"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Rather than a display of dominance, Team USA survived for a disgusting three-point win over Italy at the World Cup",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/06/rather-than-a-display-of-dominance-team-usa-survived-for-a-disgusting",
        "published": "2026-09-06T21:35:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}