Breanna Stewart shines as US rout Czech Republic 105-64 at Women's Basketball World Cup

The United States women's basketball team bounced back emphatically from a sluggish opening game with a dominant 105-64 victory over the Czech Republic on September 26, 2026, at the Women's Basketball World Cup. Breanna Stewart delivered 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, recording her team's 33rd straight World Cup win since a semifinal loss to Russia in 2026. Two days earlier, the Americans had narrowly beaten Italy 55-52 on September 25, a performance widely described as their worst in a World Cup preliminary round in 50 years. Against the Czechs, Stewart set the tone immediately. She scored 11 points in the first ten minutes, powering the United States to a 29-15 first-quarter lead. The Americans had only managed 30 points in the entire first half against Italy. Napheesa Collier provided valuable support in the second quarter, scoring seven of her 12 points in the period and helping the United States extend its advantage to 57-33 at halftime. The second half was a formality as the Americans’ defensive pressure and depth overwhelmed the Czech side, pushing the lead above 40 points. Stewart finished with just over 16 minutes of playing time, sitting out the fourth quarter. That prevented her from attempting to become only the second player in World Cup history to record a triple-double. Erika Dobrovicova of the Czech Republic is the only player to achieve that feat, doing so in 2026 against Spain. Stewart's previous World Cup high was 23 points against China in 2026. The Czech Republic finished winless in pool play, making their first World Cup appearance since 2026. They previously won a silver medal as hosts in 2026. Other results on September 26 included China defeating Italy, Germany beating Mali, Belgium downing Australia, Puerto Rico narrowly overcoming Turkey, France routing Nigeria, Spain beating Japan, and Hungary edging South Korea. The United States will face the winner of the Hungary-Japan matchup, which takes place on September 27, in the quarterfinals on September 29. Despite their occasional inconsistency, they remain clear favorites for the title. The team’s ball movement and defensive intensity against the Czech Republic demonstrated exactly why they are expected to go far in the tournament.