Stewart shines as US routs Czech Republic 105-64 at Women's World Cup

Breanna Stewart scored 19 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished six assists in just 16 minutes as the United States cruised to a 105-64 victory over the Czech Republic at the 2026 Women's Basketball World Cup in Berlin. The emphatic win came after an alarming 55-52 scare against Italy, one of the Americans' worst preliminary-round performances in 50 years. Stewart set the tone immediately, scoring 11 points in the first 10 minutes to help the U.S. jump out to a 29-15 lead. In the previous game, the U.S. had managed only 30 points in the entire first half. Now, they nearly matched that in a single quarter thanks to crisp ball movement and contributions from Jewell Loyd, A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum. Napheesa Collier added 12 points, with seven coming in the second quarter as the U.S. stretched the lead to 57-33 by halftime. The Americans shot a sizzling 60% from the field in the opening half, showing they had rediscovered their dominant formula. With the game well in hand, coach Cheryl Reeve rotated her lineup. Stewart sat out the fourth quarter, ending any chance of becoming only the second player in World Cup history to record a triple-double. The feat was first achieved by Czech player Erika Dobrovicova in 2026 against Spain. The Czech Republic, playing in their first World Cup since 2026, finished winless in pool play. They won silver when they hosted the event in 2026. The win marked the United States' 33rd straight victory at the World Cup, dating back to a semifinal loss to Russia in 2026. They will face the winner of Tuesday's Hungary-Japan game in the quarterfinals on Thursday. Hungary advanced after a narrow win over South Korea, while Japan brings speed and precision. Regardless of opponent, the Americans appear to have regained their swagger. Statistically, the U.S. recorded 28 assists against just 10 turnovers, a stark improvement from the 12 assists they managed against Italy. The bench also contributed significantly, highlighting the team's incredible depth. Stewart's early rest was a strategic move to preserve her for the knockout stage. Reeve also used the opportunity to experiment with young players, signaling a focus not only on this year's title but also on building for the future. In other Monday games, China beat Italy, Germany topped Mali, Belgium defeated Australia, Puerto Rico edged Turkey, France routed Nigeria, Spain downed Japan, and Hungary slipped past South Korea. The U.S. has proven they can bounce back from adversity and remain the team to beat. As the quarterfinals approach, all eyes will be on whether they can continue their march toward another championship.