Angel Reese's reaction says it all as Team USA narrowly avoids total humiliation

Angel Reese punched the air and flexed her muscles as Team USA narrowly avoided total humiliation with a narrow win over Italy at the FIBA World Cup.

Reese, 24, now of the Atlanta Dream in the WNBA, scored eight points, registered three rebounds, one steal, and two blocks, as Team USA continued their unbeaten start to their fourth consecutive World Cup title defense. The Americans won by a narrow margin, 55-52, as Italy’s Golden State Valkyries star Cecilia Zandalasini scored a game-high 14 points.

Surprisingly, Caitlin Clark also put up a forgettable performance in Team USA's nail-biting victory. WNBA All-Star point guard Clark went 0-for-6 for one point as Team USA escaped total humiliation on the world stage.

The relief and joy at victory were evident from the bench as time ran out, though. Reese punched the air and celebrated as Team USA now looks forward to their next game against the Czech Republic on Monday.

Reese won the physical defensive war, locked down the paint, and was critical to Team USA holding onto the win. It also came just days after she battled with China’s 7ft4in teenage sensation Zhang Ziyu.

Team USA coach Kara Lawson put her team on blast after their performance. “Let this be the last time that a team plays with more passion than throughout the course of the game,” former WNBA player and now Duke coach, Lawson, told the team in the locker room.

“Let this be the last time that all 12 don’t show up to compete at a high level, and then let this be the last time that we lack that resilient mindset because we’re so upset that we’re not scoring the way we normally score.”

Italy also held Team USA to its lowest total in 42 years. However, veteran Breanna Stewart has expressed optimism for the future.

“I think our experience is obviously what helped drive us to get things back on top, especially in that fourth quarter,” Stewart said.

“We’ve all been in these high-stress situations, knowing that the gym is cheering against us.

“We want to be in these battles. We want to be in these tough positions. Because we want to get ready for what is to come.”

Although Team USA is expected to retain its world title, Lawson stated that it won’t be easy.

“It’s so hard to win in the World Cup. I know our history is so accomplished at our federation, and we all know the expectation is for us to win,” Lawson said.

“But every single one of those wins came hard. And everyone at this tournament comes hard and we understand that.

“You have to have great respect for who you play and you have to prepare in a way to win. So, it’s supposed to be challenging.”