Breanna Stewart powers USA to 105-64 rout of Czech Republic after scare vs Italy

In the early hours of September 7, 2026 in Berlin, the United States women's national basketball team delivered a dominant performance, crushing the Czech Republic 105-64. Breanna Stewart starred with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists, helping the defending champions regain confidence after a narrow 55-52 win over Italy in the previous game. After experiencing their worst preliminary-round performance in 50 years, the American team needed a strong response. Stewart set the tone early, scoring 11 points in the first 10 minutes to give the United States a 29-15 lead after the first quarter. In contrast, the Americans managed only 30 points in the entire first half against Italy. Stewart's energy and rhythm changed the whole dynamic of the team. The Americans kept pushing in the second quarter. Napheesa Collier added seven of her 12 points in that period, helping the United States extend the margin to 57-33 at halftime. The third quarter brought no relief for the Czech Republic, as the lead grew past 40 points. Stewart played just over 16 minutes and sat out the fourth quarter, meaning she had no chance to become only the second player in World Cup history to record a triple-double. Erika Dobrovicova of the Czech Republic achieved that feat in 2026 against Spain. With this victory, the United States extended its winning streak to 33 consecutive World Cup games, dating back to a semifinal loss to Russia in 2026. It is an astonishing run that underlines nearly two decades of American dominance in international women's basketball. The Czech Republic, meanwhile, finished the group stage without a win. The team was appearing at the World Cup for the first time since 2026, and their best memory remains the silver medal won as hosts in 2026. Despite the disappointing result, the experience gained in Berlin will be valuable for their young squad. Other results on the same day saw China beat Italy, Germany defeat Mali, Belgium top Australia, Puerto Rico edge Turkey, France crush Nigeria, Spain beat Japan, and Hungary slip past South Korea. These outcomes make the knockout stage even more intriguing. The United States will play their quarterfinal on Thursday, facing the winner of the Hungary-Japan game scheduled for Tuesday. Based on current form, the Americans remain the team to beat, especially with Stewart in such devastating form. What stood out most was not just the final score but the way the United States executed on both ends. They moved the ball quickly, rotated efficiently and capitalized on open looks. Stewart did not have to carry the team by herself, as her teammates played their roles perfectly and created a balanced offensive structure. Defensively, the Americans were far more aggressive than in the Italy game. They pressured the ball early, forced turnovers and turned them into fast-break points. The coaching staff also managed minutes well, keeping players fresh for the knockout rounds. For the Czech Republic, their disciplined team-oriented style was not enough against the superior athleticism and size of the United States. Despite their proud basketball tradition, they could not reproduce the magic of their 2026 silver-medal run. Looking ahead, the potential quarterfinal opponent from the Hungary-Japan pair will bring a different style. Hungary relies on strength and inside play, while Japan is quick and dangerous from beyond the arc. Whoever it is, the United States must maintain the same level of focus and intensity. The 105-64 rout sends a clear message: the struggle against Italy was nothing more than a temporary blip. Breanna Stewart remains the centerpiece of this team, and when she gets proper support from her teammates, the defending champions look almost unstoppable.