Chelsea Gray supplied the decisive late sequence in a 55-52 World Cup escape against Italy, drawing a charge before hitting a pull-up jumper with 1:07 remaining. The basket opened a five-point cushion, and the reigning champions survived a final possession without allowing a tying basket to secure a place in the quarterfinals.

What happened

Gray’s impact came at both ends when the margin was still tight. Her drawn charge stopped Italy late, and she followed it with the pull-up that stretched the advantage to five points.

Italy reduced the margin to three before the last possession, keeping the outcome unsettled until the end. The possession finished without a tying basket, allowing the winners to close out the narrow victory and remain unbeaten in group play.

Why it matters

The result guaranteed a quarterfinal berth while preserving the reigning champions’ perfect group-stage record. In a game decided by one possession, Gray’s late execution proved enough to protect both the victory and their position entering the final group game.

The performance also raised concerns about the offense ahead of the knockout rounds. The winners managed to advance despite poor shooting, limited production from three-point range and more turnovers than assists, but those problems leave little margin for error as the stakes rise.

By the numbers

The winners shot 29% overall and made only one of their 12 three-point attempts. They committed 14 turnovers while recording 11 assists, a combination that contributed to the close finish.

Italy also finished with a 43-42 advantage on the boards. The reigning champions therefore lost the rebounding battle while struggling with both efficiency and ball security, yet still found the necessary late plays to escape with a three-point win.

What to watch next

The final group game will determine quarterfinal seeding. Although advancement is already secured, the matchup offers another opportunity to address the offensive issues exposed against Italy before the tournament shifts into its knockout phase.

Attention will remain on whether the unbeaten side can improve its shooting, three-point output and assist-to-turnover balance. Gray’s late composure settled this game, but the broader performance showed why the final group appearance still carries importance beyond seeding.