BERLIN — Paige Bueckers went scoreless in the first half of the United States’ 94-61 win over China on Friday and finished with 14 points, tied for the team high, in her FIBA Women’s World Cup debut at Max-Schmeling-Halle.
The Dallas Wings guard shot 6-of-9 from the field, 1-of-2 from three, and 1-of-1 at the free-throw line in 20 minutes, with 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. Ten of her 14 points came in the fourth quarter, according to Bleacher Report’s running account of the game.
With the Americans ahead 49-29 at halftime, Bueckers hit two pull-up midrange jumpers in the third quarter, one of them after she came up with a steal that ended a China fast break. In the final seconds of the quarter, she found Rhyne Howard with a no-look pass for a 3-pointer that sent the United States into the fourth ahead 70-42.
In the fourth, the ninth assist of the game for Caitlin Clark set up a Bueckers jumper with about three minutes to go. Bueckers then scored on back-to-back possessions in the final 1:47, including a 3-pointer after a steal by Sonia Citron.
Kara Lawson On Paige Bueckers Against China’s Zone
China played zone after halftime. U.S. coach Kara Lawson said Bueckers and Clark can both stretch the floor against it and both can get into the gaps.
“I did think Paige was really key for us in that second half,” Lawson said. “Playmaking, I thought Caitlin and Paige played off one another really well against that zone. They both can stretch the floor, and they both can play-make and get into the gaps. So I thought they did that beautifully.”
All 12 Americans scored.
“We just had a lot of people in a lot of different moments step up and that’s what we need,” Lawson said. “We’re at our best when we have a lot of different people contributing.”
The United States outscored China 21-13 in the third quarter and 24-19 in the fourth. Howard also finished with 14 points and went 4-of-11 from three. Clark had 14 points and 11 assists without a turnover in 25 minutes, and Jackie Young scored 12. The United States totaled 26 assists, 9 steals, and 6 blocks, and Howard, Bueckers, and Clark made 8 of the team’s 12 3-pointers.
Paige Bueckers Enters World Cup At Career-High Averages
Bueckers entered the World Cup break averaging 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 5.9 assists through 38 games, all career highs, on 50.6% shooting from the field, 39.7% from three, and 87.3% at the free-throw line. Dallas is 24-16, fourth in the Western Conference, and clinched its first playoff spot since 2023 on Aug. 25 with a 96-78 win over the Portland Fire. Bueckers made her senior national team debut in March at the qualifying tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the United States went 5-0. USA Basketball named her to the World Cup roster on Aug. 6. The Wings return to WNBA play Sept. 17 against the Los Angeles Sparks at College Park Center.
The United States is off Saturday and plays Italy on Sunday at 1:45 p.m. CT on TNT and HBO Max, then Czechia on Monday at 1:45 p.m. CT on the same outlets.
