USA Women strike gold, capturing FIBA U19 World Cup championships, topping host Spain, 69-66, in final

MADRID – The word for gold in Spanish is oro. And that’s exactly the medal the USA Women’s U19 National Team secured Sunday night in the Palacio de Deportes.

The Americans needed some late magic to knock off the host country Spain, 69-66, to win the 2023 FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup championship.

The game decided late and the Americans produced before a raucous crowd of 7,023 in the capital city.

It came down to the final seconds with the contest was knotted up at 66 with 28 seconds remaining.

The U.S. fed captain Cotie McMahon of Centerville (Ohio) High School the ball and she spun her way to the hoop for the go-ahead basket. Notre Dame freshman Hannah Hidalgo stole the ball away from Spain on their next possession and a hit a free throw for the three-point lead but a defensive stop sealed matters.

It was an ideal start to the game for Spain as the home crowd erupted after a first possession 3-pointer.

The Spanish shot 4-of-5 in the opening minutes but the U.S. remained tough and matched their offensive output. The score was tied three times until the USA took their first lead on a Chloe Kitts putback, 16-14. The U.S. closed the quarter on a 5-2 run and took a 21-16 lead into the second.

The USA built their largest first-half lead, 26-16, on a Kitts jumper at the 7:17 mark in the second. However, Spain would respond with a 14-2 run take the lead 30-28 with 3:00 minutes left. The game remained tight until intermission with the U.S. entering the half without the lead for the first time at the tournament, 34-34.

The majority of the third quarter saw both sides trading baskets. Neither the U.S. nor Spain was able to gain more than a two-point lead. It was not until a Grace VanSlooten and-one at the 1:41 mark the gave the Americans a two-possession edge, 54-49. The USA would take a 54-52 lead into the fourth.

The final 10 minutes boiled down to the final moments where the USA showed their grit on the biggest stage.

McMahon, an Ohio State recruit and rising senior, finished the game with 16 points and six rebounds. Kitts nearly had a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds in 20 minutes. Madison Booker had a team-high 10 rebounds off the bench. Hidalgo added nine points and seven assists off the bench.

For their efforts during the tournament, rising 6-2 senior Joyce Edwards of Camden (S.C.) High School and Hidalgo were named to the event’s All-Star Five.

Canada won the bronze medal in an overtime thriller against France, 80-73.

— From USA Basketball Communications