Gray, Young lead Team USA to World Cup gold

Team USA erased a 14-point first-half deficit, took control after halftime and finished its unbeaten run through Berlin with a gold medal.

Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young were central to the turnaround. Young scored 18 points and Gray added 14 as the U.S. beat France 97-79 on Sunday in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup final.

Young, named Player of the Game, finished with 18 points, five rebounds and five assists while shooting 7-of-14 overall and 4-of-7 from 3. Gray added four rebounds, five assists and two steals on 6-of-10 shooting.

Gray sets the pace

Gray supplied much of the early offense while France came out hot.

She made her first three shots for six points. Gray also grabbed a defensive rebound, picked up a steal and created baskets for Breanna Stewart and Aliyah Boston.

Young added an early 3-pointer. However, the U.S. offense slowed after Gray went to the bench.

France finished the quarter with a 20-17 lead. Team USA committed five turnovers and was outrebounded 8-4.

Young sparks the response

France extended its lead to 31-17 early in the second quarter. Team USA then went back to Gray, Young and the rest of its starting group.

Young immediately helped change the rhythm. She hit a 3-pointer, then buried another after Gray drove into the paint and kicked the ball outside.

The U.S. answered with a 10-2 run over 1:28. Young kept attacking, adding another basket while also finding Stewart and Boston for scores.

Gray grabbed an offensive rebound and made two free throws after drawing a foul. Later, she beat the shot clock with a midrange jumper.

France still carried a perimeter advantage. It shot 8-of-14 from 3 in the first half.

Young found Caitlin Clark for a 3-pointer with four seconds left, trimming the halftime deficit to 45-43.

Young had 13 points at the break. Gray had 10 points, three assists and two rebounds.

Third-quarter takeover

Team USA changed the game after halftime.

Young found Napheesa Collier for an early basket, then scored as the Americans moved in front. Later, Gray assisted Young on another 3-pointer that pushed the lead to 58-51.

Gray followed with a midrange fadeaway. Meanwhile, France finally cooled from the perimeter.

After making eight 3-pointers before halftime, France went 3-of-10 from deep in the second half.

The U.S. kept building separation. Kahleah Copper made three of four free throws after an unsportsmanlike foul late in the third.

Clark then found Boston for a basket on the ensuing possession. She added another score just before the horn.

Team USA won the quarter 30-12 and carried a 73-57 lead into the fourth.

Gold secured

The Americans kept stretching the margin.

Clark opened the fourth with a 3-pointer. Collier and Stewart followed with more scoring, and Team USA eventually pushed its lead to 86-59.

France had led 31-17 in the second quarter. By the middle of the fourth, the game had completely turned.

Gray added another Aces moment late. She picked up a steal and scored on the other end to make it 88-68 with 3:22 remaining.

Stewart led Team USA with 22 points and nine rebounds and was named tournament MVP. Copper scored 13, while Clark added 12 off the bench.

The U.S. shot 56 percent from the field and outrebounded France 36-27. It also scored 54 points after halftime.

France shot 48 percent overall and finished 11-of-24 from 3. Dominique Malonga scored 21 points off the bench, while Gabby Williams added 20.

Young also completed a rare championship résumé with the victory. According to USA Basketball, she became the first player to win a high school state championship, NCAA championship, Olympic 3-on-3 gold, WNBA championship, Olympic 5-on-5 gold and FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup gold.