US Women’s Basketball Team Wins AmeriCup Trophy and Qualifies for 2026 World Cup
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
Stars Shine in Santiago
The United States women’s basketball team fought off a resilient Brazil squad, clinching a thrilling 92-84 victory on Sunday night in Santiago, Chile. With this hard-earned win, Team USA hoisted its fifth FIBA Women’s AmeriCup trophy and punched its ticket to Berlin for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.
Rally Seals the Deal
Trailing 69-67 with under nine minutes remaining, the USA ripped off a decisive 9-0 spurt highlighted by Joyce Edwards’ tough layup to claim a 76-69 lead. The surge sparked a 10-point cushion they would not surrender as they closed out Brazil with relentless energy.
Blakes Headlines All-Star Five
Mikayla Blakes was unstoppable, capturing tournament MVP honors after leading all scorers with 27 points in the finale. She added six rebounds and shot 11-of-24 from the field. Hannah Hidalgo made her presence felt in the clutch, too, finishing with 16 points, seven boards, four assists, and a pair of steals. Edwards rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points and seven rebounds.
Defensive Edge Makes the Difference
Before tipoff, Brazil and the USA were neck and neck in rebounding throughout the AmeriCup. But on championship night, the Americans dominated the glass 46-35 and translated that edge into a massive 21-3 advantage in fast-break points.
Historic Marks Top Off a Title
The USA women’s squad shattered multiple records during their title run. They dished out a tournament-best 161 assists (23.0 per game), surpassing their own 2019 mark. Olivia Miles delivered nine dimes in the final, lifting her tournament average to 7.1 per game—a new individual record.
Hidalgo also made history with 22 steals, edging past Ruthie Bolton’s long-standing USA record from 1993. The Americans narrowly missed topping the all-time steals-per-game mark, averaging 17.6 per contest.
What’s Next
This gold medal triumph locks in Team USA’s place among the elite at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin—where they’ll look to build on their dominance and expand their legacy.
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