Team USA Women Beat Puerto Rico to Stay Unbeaten at FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in San Juan

The United States women’s national basketball team improved to 2–0 at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament after defeating Puerto Rico 91–48 on Thursday, 12 March 2026 in San Juan. The Americans, led by strong performances from Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese, controlled the contest from the opening quarter at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, known locally as “El Choli”. The victory followed a 110–46 win over Senegal in the tournament opener, maintaining the team’s unbeaten start.

According to a game report published by USA Basketball, Bueckers scored 16 points and added four rebounds and three assists to lead all scorers. Reese recorded a double-double off the bench with 10 points and 13 rebounds, helping the United States dominate the glass against the host nation.

The qualifying event forms part of the pathway to the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup. However, the United States had already secured its place in the global tournament by winning the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. According to tournament information from FIBA, the qualifying competition still provides teams with valuable preparation and evaluation opportunities ahead of future international competitions.

Team USA established control early against Puerto Rico. Guard Kelsey Plum scored eight of the Americans’ first 12 points as the visitors raced to a double-digit lead in the opening quarter. By halftime the United States had extended its advantage to 46–19, shooting above 50 per cent from the field during the first half, according to official statistics released by USA Basketball.

Plum finished the game with 12 points, while forward Kiki Iriafen added 10 points on a perfect shooting performance and collected five rebounds. Every player in the American lineup scored during the contest, reflecting the team’s balanced offensive production.

Head coach Kara Lawson said the team continues to adjust while integrating players at different stages of their international careers. “We had some good spots,” Lawson said after the game, according to USA Basketball, noting the group is still “figuring things out”.

Several players also reached notable milestones during the tournament. Iriafen, Monique Billings and Bueckers were named in the starting lineup, marking their first senior national team starts. Speaking after the game, Iriafen described the experience of representing the United States early in her career. “It’s such an honour,” she said, according to USA Basketball.

The Americans controlled the interior throughout the matchup. According to official statistics from USA Basketball, the United States outrebounded Puerto Rico 49–30 and outscored the hosts 38–14 in the paint while recording eight blocked shots. The defensive effort limited second-chance opportunities for Puerto Rico and helped the visitors maintain a comfortable margin.

Ball movement was another defining feature of the U.S. performance. The team recorded 28 assists on 34 made field goals, demonstrating the emphasis on shared offensive responsibility within Lawson’s system. USA Basketball statistics also showed the Americans shot 51.5 per cent from the field overall.

Puerto Rico continued to compete despite the large deficit and forced 18 turnovers during the game. The hosts briefly reduced the margin early in the second half before the United States responded with a scoring run led by Bueckers and guard Jackie Young.

Young finished with nine points and three assists while shooting perfectly from the field, providing a steady presence during the third quarter as the Americans maintained control of the contest.

The victory improved the United States’ all-time record against Puerto Rico to 11–1 in senior international competitions, according to statistics compiled by USA Basketball.

The tournament also marked the senior national team debut of guard Caitlin Clark earlier in the week. Clark scored 17 points in the opening-game victory over Senegal on 11 March, helping the Americans begin the qualifying event with a dominant performance.

Clark, who plays professionally for the Indiana Fever in the Women’s National Basketball Association, had not competed in international competition for several months after injuries shortened her 2025 season. According to NCAA records, Clark is the organisation’s all-time leading scorer in Division I women’s basketball.

The United States roster for the qualifying tournament blends experienced international players and emerging talent. The squad includes Billings, Bueckers, Rae Burrell, Clark, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Dearica Hamby, Rhyne Howard, Iriafen, Plum, Reese and Young.

According to tournament scheduling information from NESN, the United States will continue its qualifying campaign against Italy on 14 March, followed by games against New Zealand on 15 March and Spain on 17 March. The matches in San Juan are part of a series of international fixtures designed to prepare teams for the next edition of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

Games from the tournament are being broadcast in the United States on truTV and TNT, with streaming available through DIRECTV and other digital platforms, according to broadcast details provided by tournament organisers.

Although the United States has already secured qualification for the World Cup, the remaining games offer the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate player combinations and test strategies against international opposition. For a roster featuring both established veterans and rising stars, the tournament provides a key stage in the team’s preparation for future global competition.