U.S. Handle Serbia to Advance to 12th Consecutive World Cup Semifinal

Brionna Jones of the United States grabs a rebound during the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Quarterfinal match between USA and Serbia at Sydney Superdome on September 29, 2022 in Sydney, Australia

The U.S. women’s basketball team has found itself in another FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup semifinal. 
Thursday’s 88-55 win over Serbia is the 28th straight World Cup win for the U.S, extending its own record. Another gold-medal finish this year would see the U.S. take home a fourth consecutive World Cup title and its 11th overall.
The Sydney Superdome saw a physical game early. Serbia came out with intensity in the first quarter, thanks to facilitating from Yvonne Anderson. Turnovers were also a problem early for the Americans, and it led to them trailing for the first time this tournament.  
The U.S. were able to turn the tide in the second quarter, in large part due to the play of Alyssa Thomas. The 6-foot-2 forward continued her high-level play on both sides of the ball, finishing with 13 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals. 
As the U.S. grew into the game, more threes began to rain down. Kelsey Plum, who made three of the team’s 11 3-pointers, came off the bench and led the team with 17 points. It was a group scoring effort though, with every player scoring at least two points. 
With 2:59 left in the second quarter, Kahleah Copper had a hard fall and had to be carried off by medical staff. Copper did not return to the game. Yet the U.S. stepped up in her absence and scored 20 unanswered points after her injury. This was the final blow for Serbia as the U.S. created an insurmountable lead. 
Next, the U.S. go up against Canada in the semifinals as they look to reach their sixth goal-medal game of the last seven World Cups. The other semifinal sees the hosts Australia match up against China, who’s made its first semifinal in 28 years.