Caitlin Clark hit a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer to pull USA within 45-43 of France in the World Cup final. Her shot capped a 26-14 American run after France had built a 31-17 lead, leaving the title contest separated by just two points at the break.

What happened

Jackie Young and Breanna Stewart supplied much of USA's first-half scoring as the Americans worked back from a 14-point deficit. Young has 13 points and four assists on 5-for-6 shooting, while Stewart has added 12 points and five rebounds.

France heads into halftime with the lead behind Gabby Williams, who has 16 points and three assists. Williams and Janelle Salaün have combined for five three-pointers, giving France an outside scoring threat that USA must account for as the comeback continues.

Why it matters

The World Cup title is at stake in the final against France, and USA's closing run substantially changed the halftime picture. A 31-17 deficit became a one-possession game, with Clark's final shot cutting the remaining gap to two.

The Americans outscored France by 12 during that 26-14 stretch, recovering most of the ground they had lost. France still holds the advantage, but USA enters the second half with far less to make up than the earlier score suggested.

By the numbers

Young and Stewart have combined to shoot 9-for-13 from the field, a 69.2% conversion rate. Their 25 combined points account for more than half of USA's 43, making their efficiency central to the Americans' first-half production.

Young's four assists complement that scoring, while Stewart has contributed five rebounds. For France, Salaün has seven points and three rebounds alongside Williams' 16 points and three assists; their five combined three-pointers remain a key part of the halftime totals.

What to watch next

The third quarter will show whether Caitlin Clark can help USA sustain the comeback after delivering the half's closing basket. Maintaining the scoring efficiency supplied by Young and Stewart would give the Americans a foundation for that push.

France's response will be equally significant, with Williams' production and the outside shooting she and Salaün have provided demanding attention. USA has narrowed the deficit sharply; the next task is turning that recovery into a lead.