Jackie Young leads a gritty US escape in a tight 55-52 women's World Cup win over Italy

BERLIN (AP) — Jackie Young scored 10 points and the U.S. survived its toughest test in the women's basketball World Cup in two decades with a 55-52 victory over Italy on Sunday.

The U.S. has won 32 straight World Cup games dating back to a loss to Russia in the 2006 semifinals. Only one team had come within single digits of the Americans during this run, when Australia lost by eight points in 2010.

The Americans (2-0) had to work hard for the victory, putting up the lowest point total in a preliminary-round game since 1971, when they had 51 against France.

The U.S. trailed 50-48 with 4:29 left before going on a 7-0 run. Breanna Stewart, who missed her first eight shots, scored her first basket of the game to put the Americans up 51-50. Young then hit a layup after the U.S. got an offensive foul against Italy on its next possession.

The Americans got another defensive stop and Chelsea Gray hit a jumper to make it a five-point game.

Matilde Villa scored to get Italy back within three with less than a minute to go.

The U.S. had a couple of chances to make it a two-possession lead but couldn't convert.

Italy (1-1) had one last chance to tie it, but Cecilia Zandalasini's 3-pointer was off at the buzzer.

Italy’s 2-3 zone defense cause the U.S. fits on offense. The Americans couldn’t get into any rhythm and shot 29% from the field, including going 1 for 12 from 3-point range.

The Americans, who led 30-24 at halftime, saw Italy go on a 11-2 run to start the third quarter and trailed 35-32 before finishing the period up 42-39.

Italy, which lost to the Americans by 34 in a tournament qualifier in March, wouldn’t go away and was up 50-48 in the fourth quarter before the Americans' final push.

Zandalasini scored 14 points to lead Italy, which is making its first World Cup appearance since 1994.

The Italians won their first game, beating the Czech Republic, and had a loud crowd cheering for them against the U.S. Still, there were fans wearing Caitlin Clark Iowa and Fever jerseys, as well as one in Bueckers’ high school jersey.

In other games on Sunday, China edged the Czech Republic in overtime, Australia topped Turkey and Belgium beat Puerto Rico.

Italy faces China to close out pool play Monday.

The U.S, plays the Czech Republic on Monday hoping to keep its winning streak going.

See AP’s full WNBA coverage here

Italy's Sara Madera shoots over Napheesa Collier, of the United States, during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between the United States and Italy in Berlin, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Italy's coach Andrea Capoblanco shots instructions during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between the United States and Italy in Berlin, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Napheesa Collier, of the United States, guards Italy's Lorela Cubaj during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between the United States and Italy in Berlin, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Kahleah Copper, of the United States, guards Italy's Matilde Villa during the Women's Basketball World Cup match between the United States and Italy in Berlin, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

Things to watch this weekend in the Big Ten:

No. 6 Indiana (6-1, 3-1) at Michigan (4-2, 1-2), Saturday, noon ET (Fox)

Indiana attempts to bounce back from a 19-15 home loss to No. 3 Ohio State that snapped the defending national champions’ 22-game winning streak.

Michigan could have a new starting quarterback for this game. The Wolverines rallied to beat Penn State 21-18 last week after Tommy Carr took over for Bryce Underwood at quarterback in the second half. Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham said he had decided on his starter but didn't want to announce it beforehand.

No. 15 Iowa (5-1, 2-1 Big Ten) at Minnesota (4-2, 2-1), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1)

Iowa has won 10 of its last 11 meetings with Minnesota and will attempt to maintain possession of Floyd of Rosedale, the 98-pound bronze pig that goes to the winner of this matchup. Minnesota already got a rivalry win this year by beating Michigan at home for the first time since 1977.

No. 16 Southern California (6-1, 3-1) at Wisconsin (4-2, 2-1), 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)

One week after losing 17-7 at UCLA, Wisconsin returns home to try spoiling USC’s College Football Playoff hopes. Wisconsin’s home-field advantage could get neutralized a bit since this game is taking place at the same time Game 2 of the World Series is happening 80 miles away in Milwaukee.

— Northwestern LB Braydon Brus had 15 tackles – including one for loss - in a 24-21 victory at Michigan State.

— Rutgers WR KJ Duff had nine catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns in a 37-30 victory at Maryland. Duff has nine touchdown catches, and he has accumulated over 100 yards receiving in four of Rutgers’ six games.

— Oregon OLB Matayo Uiagalelei has recorded a sack in each of his last four games. His 24 ½ career sacks put him in a tie for fourth in school history. Nick Reed owns the school record with 29 ½ from 2005-08.

No. 9 UCLA has 19 takeaways to rank second in the Bowl Subdivision, behind only New Mexico (21). UCLA has eight more takeaways than any other Big Ten team. … Rutgers has the fewest penalty yards per game (28.67) of any Bowl Subdivision team. … Indiana’s FBS-leading streak of 1,473 straight snaps without losing a fumble ended against Ohio State, as the Hoosiers lost two fumbles in that game. … Washington’s 38-26 victory over Purdue last week marked the first time since a 2003 Apple Cup triumph over Washington State that the Huskies had won a game in which they committed at least five turnovers. … Penn State has lost its first four Big Ten games for a second straight season. The last time Penn State had started out 0-4 in Big Ten competition in consecutive seasons was in 2003-04.

Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here. Visit the Top 25 here and see AP’s full college football coverage here.

Iowa defensive end Joseph Anderson, top center, and linebacker Preston Ries (46) tackle Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)