USA Tops Belgium, 93-77, Advances To Third Straight FIBA World Cup Final

The USA Basketball Women’s National Team topped Belgium, 93-77, on Saturday to advance to their third straight FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Finals.
Diana Taurasi (26 PTS) and Breanna Stewart (20 PTS) led the U.S. scoring efforts, while Brittney Griner (16 PTS) also reached double figures. As a whole, the National Team shot 46% from the field.
FINAL: ?? #USABWNT 93, ?? Belgium 77@DianaTaurasi goes for 26 pts., @breannastewart 20 pts. & @brittneygriner scores 16 to lead the USA into the #FIBAWWC gold medal game tomorrow at 3 PM EDT on @espn ?? pic.twitter.com/ZINhwDj04Q
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 29, 2018
From the start, Belgium made it apparent that they would not go down without a fight. Washington Mystics’ Emma Meesseman was at the forefront for the Belgian Cats in the first quarter, scoring a quick 13 PTS to give them the 26-21 lead. The Americans were able to regain a slight lead in the second quarter, outscoring Belgium, 19-13, to close out the first half.
Once the second half got started, Diana Taurasi started doing Diana Taurasi things, taking over and hitting three huge shots from deep to extend the U.S. lead. Stewart also came alive in the third, adding a quick 9 PTS and USA started running away with it. With Dawn Staley’s offense now in rhythm, the National Team were able to close out the fourth quarter.
The U.S. National Team made history in the opening minutes of today’s matchup, where Griner sank the team’s 10,000th all-time point – making the United States the first-ever team to reach the scoring milestone in FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
?,0⃣0⃣0⃣@brittneygriner scores the opening bucket & #USABWNT becomes the first team in @FIBA World Cup history to score 10,000 points all-time at the World Cup! #FIBAWWC pic.twitter.com/vuXZJOUweX
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) September 29, 2018
With Saturday’s win, the USA Women’s National Team advances to their 11th all-time FIBA Women’s World Cup finals appearance. The U.S. has won the last two World Cups (2010, 2014), and will face Australia who last won the gold in 2006.
FIBA World Cup finals begin Sunday at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN.