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The Americans have now won 34 consecutive games in the
tournament dating to a loss to Russia in the 2006 World Cup
semifinals. The U.S. has made every medal round since 1983 when
the format changed to have medal rounds.
It was a record-breaking performance for the U.S. The 108 points
was the most by any team ever in a quarterfinal. The U.S. had 31
assists, again the most in this round.
“When that ball is moving, we want to get the best possible
shot,” said Kahleah Copper, who had 10 points. “We want to make
sure everybody gets involved. Everyone here on this roster, we
know what they’re doing on their respective (WNBA) teams. But
you come here, you sacrifice a little bit of that.”
Copper said the players were always looking to turn good scoring
opportunities into great ones. The Americans did just that.
The U.S. was off and running early against Hungary, jumping out
to a 36-12 lead after the first quarter. The Americans were
constantly pounding the ball inside and converting turnovers
into easy layups. Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese showed their
growing chemistry on the court, finishing the quarter with a
nifty pick and roll just before the buzzer. Collier had 10
points in the first 10 minutes.
The offense was sizzling early on as the Americans hit 20 of
their first 26 shots (77%), including five of six 3-point
attempts to race to a 50-18 lead with 6 minutes left in the
first half. The Americans led 59-30 at the break — the highest
scoring first half in team history in a knockout game at the
event according to FIBA.
The Americans got a little scare when Sonia Citron had to leave
in the third quarter when she was hit in the nose by a Hungary
player's hand by accident. Citron returned to start the fourth
quarter.
Clark finished with 10 points and nine assists, just missing out
on her second double-double of the tournament.
The U.S. was also solid on defense. They contained Hungary's top
scorer Dorka Juhasz, who plays for the Minnesota Lynx. She came
into the game averaging 15.3 points and 11 rebounds in the
tournament. She missed her first seven shots and didn't get her
first basket until 2:26 was left in the half. She finished the
game with two points on 1 of 12 shooting.
Hungary came away with its best finish ever in the World Cup by
reaching the quarterfinals for the first time. Hungary was fifth
in the 1957 tournament but back then it was a round robin with
no medal rounds.
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