Stewart shines as US crush Czech Republic 105-64 at Women's World Cup

After a close 55-52 win over Italy, the United States needed a strong statement. They delivered convincingly, crushing the Czech Republic 105-64 in the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin. Breanna Stewart exploded for 11 points in the first ten minutes, helping the US jump to a 29-15 lead. This was a completely different team from the one that managed just 30 points in the first half against Italy. The ball movement was crisp, the defensive rotations were sharp, and the rebounding was overwhelming. Napheesa Collier contributed 7 points in the second quarter off the bench. By halftime, the lead had grown to 57-33. The second half was a mere formality, with the lead reaching over 40 points at one stage. Stewart finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in just over 16 minutes of action. She sat out the entire fourth quarter, missing the chance to become only the second player in World Cup history to record a triple-double. The sole player to achieve that is Erika Dobrovicova of the Czech Republic, who did it in 2026. The win extended the US winning streak to 33 consecutive games at the World Cup, dating back to their semifinal loss to Russia in 2026. Their next opponent will be the winner of the Hungary-Japan game in Thursday's quarterfinal. The Czech Republic finished winless in pool play and were one of the weakest teams in the tournament. They had won a silver medal as hosts in 2026, but the current squad is far from that level. Other results on September 26: China defeated Italy, Germany topped Mali, Belgium beat Australia, Puerto Rico edged Turkey, France routed Nigeria, Spain defeated Japan, and Hungary slipped past South Korea. For Stewart, this performance was a reminder of her elite abilities. She didn't need to score heavily to have an impact. The US team's ability to bounce back just in time signals their intentions to defend the title remain fully intact.