BASKETBALL: USA downs Spain to advance to FIBA World Cup women's final

Breanna Stewart scored 16 points to lead the United States as the Americans advanced to the gold medal game of the FIBA World Cup with a 76-66 win over Spain in Berlin on Saturday.

The United States advances to face France in the final on Sunday. Spain will be in the third-place game against Germany.

Kahleah Copper added 13 points and Jackie Young contributed 12 to go along with five rebounds and four assists. Stewart also had six rebounds, second-most on the team behind Aliyah Boston's seven.

Spain got a game-high 17 points from both Maria Conde and Iyana Martin. Martin chipped in three steals. Awa Fam was the next highest scorer with nine points and a game-high-tying seven rebounds.

The two squads entered the fourth quarter tied at 58, but the U.S. defense clamped down, limiting Spain to eight fourth-quarter points. The United States used a 12-2 run to begin the period to take a 70-60 lead with 5:20 to play.

Stewart keyed that run, drawing two fouls and sinking all four of her free throws. Her steal at the 7:01 mark allowed Boston to get loose for a layup that gave Team USA a 66-60 lead.

Boston finished with six points.

After a Copper bucket, Conde's jumper with 3:38 to go cut the lead to 72-64. But Young responded with back-to-back hoops to give USA a 76-64 lead with 1:21 to go. Spain never got closer than 10.

Spain outscored the United States 22-19 in the third quarter after falling behind 39-36 at the half. Iyana Martin's two free throws with 53 seconds left tied the score.

--Field Level Media