FANTASTIC FOURTH: USA win FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup for 11th time, topping Aussies, 88-76, in final

BRNO, Czechia – The Americans are simply golden for the fourth consecutive time at the 2025 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup.

That’s because the U.S. broke away in the second quarter and stopped Australia, 88-76, on Sunday night in the final

All time, the Americans are 11-1 when competing for the gold medal in this competition. Most Valuable Player Saniyah Hall topped the winners with 25 points 9 rebounds and 7 assists Jazzy Davison scored 21 and Kayleigh Heckel 16. Hall led the Americans in scoring at 19.9 points per game during the tournament.

“I’m really proud of this group,” U.S. head coach Teri Moren said. “There have been some peaks and valleys for this group. I think they’ve grown together as a team. They’re great kids off the floor and they have great chemistry, which is important.”

In the bronze medal game, Spain defeated Canada, 70-68.

The game was decided in the second quarter when the U.S. took a 50-40 lead at the break. Australia whittled the deficit to two points but the Americans showed their resolve.

After the Americans led by as many as 11 early in the third quarter, Australia got within five with 1:58 left. Heckel gave the U.S. a seven-point lead on a pull-up jumper with 1:09 remaining as the U.S. took a 64-57 lead going into the final frame.

Australia opened the period with a 3-pointer to cut the lead to four. With their lead smaller than at any point in the second half, the U.S. replied with four unanswered points to take a 68-60 advantage with 8:23 left. Australia got within five points with just over four minutes left, but Davidson and Hall took the game into their own hands from there.

“We knew that they’re a team that likes to play off their energy,” Davidson said. “We knew that we needed to cut their runs short and do everything we can on defense to stop that.”

Sienna Betts, who posted a triple-double in the final, joined Hall on the All-Star Five following a tremendous week with five double-doubles over seven games (tied for the tournament lead). Betts led the tournament in field goal percentage (58.7%) and ranked second amongst all players in rebounds per game (10.0) to go with 14.6 points per game.

The box score.

— With dispatches from USA Basketball Communications