Clark and Howard Spark USA Blowout of China in World Cup Opener
Caitlin Clark and Rhyne Howard scored 14 points each as the U.S. overcame a towering Chinese frontcourt for a 94-61 opening-day win in Berlin.
BERLIN — The future of American women's basketball arrived with a heavy dose of defensive grit and transition speed on Friday. Led by Caitlin Clark and Rhyne Howard, the United States women's national team cruised past China 94-61 to open their World Cup campaign in dominant fashion, neutralising a historic height disadvantage in front of a packed arena.
Clark finished the game with 14 points and 11 assists, showcasing the precise playmaking that has fueled a massive surge in domestic interest and commercial revenue back home in the United States. Howard matched her with 14 points, while Jackie Young added 12 in a performance that extended the Americans' historic World Cup winning streak to 31 consecutive games.
A New Guard Takes the Floor
USA Basketball is currently navigate a generational transition. The legendary veterans who anchored the squad for over a decade are gradually handing over the keys to a younger, faster group of superstars. Nowhere was this more evident than late in the first quarter, when coach Kara Lawson put Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese on the floor together.
None of the three rising stars started the game. Yet, their combined energy immediately disrupted China’s half-court offense, propelling the Americans to a comfortable 27-14 lead by the end of the opening period.
The defensive intensity of the second unit set a physical tone that China struggled to match. It was a clear signal to the rest of the tournament field that the American depth remains unmatched, even as the roster undergoes a significant overhaul.
The Battle Against the Towers
China did not back down easily, mounting a fierce second-quarter rally behind 19-year-old sensation Zhang Ziyu. Standing a towering 7-foot-3, Zhang made her World Cup debut a memorable one, anchoring herself directly under the rim on defense and making interior scoring nearly impossible for the Americans.
When Zhang scored her first basket to cut the American lead to 33-25 with just over six minutes left in the half, the U.S. bench looked for answers. Lawson challenged her post players to fight through the size differential with sheer physicality.
- Aliyah Boston anchored the paint, sacrificing her body to push Zhang off her preferred blocks.
- Breanna Stewart hit a flurry of mid-range jumpers to pull the Chinese defense away from the hoop.
- Jackie Young executed a crucial three-point play during a decisive 16-4 American run.
By halftime, the U.S. had restored order, heading into the locker room with a comfortable 49-29 cushion.
China tried a different tactical look in the third quarter, pairing the 7-foot-3 Zhang with 6-foot-10 Han Xu. The double-tower lineup briefly cut the deficit to 16 points, but a quick 17-5 run spearheaded by the Clark-Bueckers-Reese trio put the game entirely out of reach.
Zhang finished her afternoon with 13 points, doing most of her damage from the free-throw line. Han added 11 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort.
Global Appeal on Display
The atmosphere inside the Berlin Arena felt more like a home game for the Americans, a stark departure from the hostile crowds they often encounter overseas. European fans flocked to the arena to catch a glimpse of the new-look roster, with Clark-themed jerseys visible throughout the stands.
"It's so fun to see all of the fans, and their excitement, and how much the women's game is growing globally," Clark said after the game. She spent several minutes post-game signing autographs and taking photos with local fans, including a young girl wearing an Indiana Fever shirt.
The victory keeps the U.S. on track for another deep run, with a matchup against Italy scheduled for Saturday. China will look to bounce back when they face the Czech Republic.
Around the Tournament
The opening day of the expanded 16-team tournament featured several other lopsided affairs and a few tight finishes across the Berlin courts.
Host nation Germany suffered a disappointing 83-53 loss to Spain. Awa Fam led the Spanish side with 17 points, silencing a raucous crowd of 14,000 home supporters. Leonie Fiebich led Germany with 13 points, while Nyara Sabally added 10 in the defeat.
In the most thrilling game of the day, Japan edged out Mali 102-97 behind an incredible shooting display. Saki Hayashi hit nine 3-pointers as the Japanese team converted a total of 20 shots from beyond the arc, breaking a national team record that had stood since 1994.
France also looked every bit the gold-medal contender, routing Hungary 99-53. Dominique Malonga, Gabby Williams, and Marine Johannes all scored 17 points for the Olympic silver medalists.
Australia got off to a winning start by defeating Puerto Rico 70-54. Steph Talbot led the Opals with 19 points, giving coach Sandy Brondello some much-needed breathing room. Under the new tournament format, the four group winners will advance directly to the quarterfinals, making every group-stage game highly critical.
