(Reuters) -Defending champions USA beat China 83-61 to win a record-extending 11th Women’s World Cup title in Sydney on Saturday.
A’ja Wilson, who plays for the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, led tournament favourites Team USA with 19 points.
The United States earned a hard-fought early lead of 18-13 at the end of the first quarter and were made to work by China as they extended it to 43-33 at the halfway mark.
The game looked poised for a close finish at the break, but China faded quickly in the third quarter, going 21 points behind as Jewell Loyd and Kelsey Plum scored a combined 15 points.
The United States then weathered a late surge from China in the final quarter to secure their fourth straight World Cup title.
Earlier on Saturday, Lauren Jackson brought the curtain down on her glittering career in spectacular fashion, leading the scoring with 30 points as hosts Australia posted a 95-65 victory over Canada to take bronze.
“They’re the best group of the girls, I’ve had the best time, and it’s the best journey I’ve had in the sport,” said Jackson, who returned to the Australia squad in August following a lengthy absence after first retiring in 2016.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard)
