US overcome poor shooting and Italy’s eye-poke claims in edgy Fiba World Cup win

USA edge into quarter’s with nervy 55-52 win Cecilia Zandalasini claims she was poked in eye Caitlin Clark shoots 0-6 from the field Jackie Young had a big fourth quarter and Breanna Stewart made her only basket of the game to put ⁠the United States up for good, helping the Americans escape with a 55-52 win over Italy in the Fiba Women’s World ⁠Cup on Sunday.

The ​US (2-0), who clinched a quarter-final berth with the victory, led only 42-39 after three quarters and fell behind by two points on three occasions in the fourth.

Stewart’s jumper, assisted by Young, gave the Americans a 51-50 lead with 3:20 to go, and Young hit a ⁠floater on their next possession.

Chelsea Gray made a pull-up with 1:07 left for an ​important cushion, but Italy hit a quick ‌two-pointer in response to ‌cut it to 55-52.

Gray missed a shot on the next US trip but Young ‌corralled the rebound to help her team bleed more clock.

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