Overview
- The United States beat Puerto Rico 91-48 one day after a 110-46 win over Senegal to open the FIBA qualifying window at 2-0.
- Paige Bueckers led the scoring with 16 points, with Kelsey Plum adding 12 and Angel Reese posting 10 points and 13 rebounds.
- Caitlin Clark finished with eight points and two assists in about 19 minutes after debuting with 17 points and 12 assists against Senegal.
- Head coach Kara Lawson called the performance “a little clunky,” noted Puerto Rico’s zone slowed the pace, and said she will keep experimenting with starting groups and rotations to build chemistry.
- USA already has a 2026 World Cup berth secured; next up is Italy on March 14, with national broadcasts drawing fan chatter about player interactions that coverage characterizes as speculative.