The United States women's basketball team defeated France 97-79 in Berlin on Sunday to win the FIBA Women's World Cup for the fifth consecutive time, completing a dramatic turnaround after trailing by 14 points early in the game.
The final was a rematch of the Paris Olympics gold medal game, which the United States won by a single point, 67-66. France had hoped to avenge that defeat on home soil in Europe and end the American team's long grip on the world title.
France started strongly, winning the first quarter 20-17 despite trailing 10-15 early on. The French side then extended the lead to 14 points, going up 31-17 at the start of the second quarter, with Gabby Williams and Dominique Malonga carrying most of the scoring load.
United States claw back before the break
The American team, whose scoring was spread more evenly across the roster, chipped away at the deficit as the half progressed. France went into halftime ahead by just two points, 45-43, before the United States took full control in the third quarter.
France managed only 12 points in the third quarter while the United States scored 30, turning the game on its head. The Americans entered the final quarter with a 16-point cushion, leading 73-57, a margin few expected them to give up.
Stewart and Young lead the way
The United States maintained and slightly extended that advantage over the final 10 minutes to close out a 97-79 win. Breanna Stewart top-scored for the Americans with 22 points, with Jackie Young adding 18.
The result gave the United States its fifth straight Women's World Cup title and stretched a run in which the team has not lost the tournament since 2010, a dominance spanning 16 years. France settled for silver.
Spain takes bronze
Spain claimed the bronze medal, beating tournament hosts Germany 81-58 in the third-place match played earlier the same day. The tournament, held in Germany, featured 16 teams, but Poland was absent after failing to qualify.
