Sky Overseas Updates 2022-23: FIBA Women’s World Cup – Group Phase (Day 3)

September 24, 2022 – Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) – Chicago Sky News Release

CHICAGO – The 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup continued its Group Phase play this week, with four Chicago Sky players taking action with their respective countries: Kahleah Copper (USA), Emma Meessemanand Julie Allemand (Belgium) and Li Yueru (China).

Both of the undefeated teams in Group A – United States and China – faced off against one another in the third game of group play on Friday evening (local CST time), with the U.S. defeating China, 77-63. Heading into the matchup, Breanna Stewart lead the United States with 16.5 ppg, while Xu Han and Meng Li lead China with 15.5 ppg. Copper, the second-highest leading scorer for Team USA, averaged 13.7 ppg before Friday’s game. Entering Friday, China was leading all World Cup teams with 102.5 points per game.

Copper tallied six points, four rebounds, two assists in 19 minutes of play, while Li recorded four points, six rebounds a team-high two steals on the night. A’ja Wilson led the U.S. with 20 points, while Meng Li led the way for China with 21 points.

The win makes the U.S. the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals. The U.S. has also won 25 straight games in the World Cup.

Heading into its third game, Belgium came in with a 1-1 record – a loss against the United States and a win against Korea. On Saturday morning (local CST time), Belgium escaped with a win against Puerto Rico, 68-65, bringing its overall record to 2-1.

Allemand recorded nine points, six assists, five rebounds and two steals in 35 minutes, while Meesseman tallied six points, 12 rebounds, two steals, one block and a team-high 11 assists in 37 minutes of play.

Teams will have a rest day on Saturday, Sept. 24th (local CST time)/Sunday, Sept. 25th (AEST time) before rounding out their last two games of the Group Phase. The United States will play Korea on Sunday, Sept. 25th at 11:00 p.m. CST and will be aired on ESPN2. Belgium will face off against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. CST, while China will play Puerto Rico on Monday the 26th at 2:30 a.m. CST. Belgium and China’s games will be available on ESPN+.

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