# Team USA sweats out Spain, then slams the door

> Spain had the Americans tied after three quarters in Berlin, until an 18-8 fourth put the World Cup streak back on track.
- Title: Team USA sweats out Spain, then slams the door · OutKick
- Summary: Spain had the Americans tied after three quarters in Berlin, until an 18-8 fourth put the World Cup streak back on track. Team USA won ugly, shooting 40%…
- Keywords: basketball, team usa, fiba world cup, spain, breanna stewart, news, politics, Team, USA, sweats, slams, door
- Source: OutKick — https://foxnews.com/outkick-sports/team-usa-survives-spain-scare-fourth-quarter-surge-reach-fiba-womens-world-cup-final
- Author: Amber Harding
- Published: 2026-09-12T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: basketball, team usa, fiba world cup, spain, breanna stewart, news, politics
## Three quarters of trouble
Spain hung with Team USA all afternoon and had the semifinal tied 58-58 heading into the fourth. A streak that goes back to 2006 was suddenly one bad quarter from ending.
## The fourth quarter answer
The Americans won the final period 18-8 to close it out 76-66 and book a spot in the FIBA Women's World Cup final.
## Stewart and Young deliver
Breanna Stewart led with 16 points and 6 rebounds, Kahleah Copper added 13, and Jackie Young scored 6 of her 12 in the fourth to finally create separation.
## Little things, not highlights
Stewart credited rebounding and a second-half defensive lift rather than anything flashy. Coach Kara Lawson had asked at halftime for more precise coverages and calmer possessions.

> Just continue to do the little things.
## The numbers were ugly
Team USA shot 40% from the field, went 3-for-18 from three, turned it over 15 times, and managed only 9 assists. Caitlin Clark, off the bench again, finished with 1 point.
## France stands in the way
A fifth straight World Cup title comes down to one game against France, a team Stewart called really tough. Spain got 17 apiece from Maria Conde and Iyana Martin and still lost.

> We're going for gold, and that's what we're going to do.
## Key takeaway

Team USA won ugly, shooting 40% with 15 turnovers, and that fourth-quarter defense is the only reason the streak survived.