Hungary ended a 28-year World Cup drought with a 71-67 victory powered by Dorka Juhasz, who finished with 19 points and 16 rebounds. Juhasz established Hungary’s interior advantage before halftime and helped her team keep its hopes of advancing from Group B alive.

What happened

Juhasz controlled the first half, producing 13 points and 11 rebounds before the break. Her early double-double gave Hungary the foundation it needed to establish control and ultimately protect a four-point winning margin.

Hungary consistently found success near the basket, scoring 42 points in the paint. It also collected 38 defensive rebounds, limiting additional opportunities and supporting the inside-focused performance that defined the victory.

Juhasz remained the central figure through the finish, ending with team-shaping production in both scoring and rebounding. Her 19-point, 16-rebound performance supplied the impact Hungary needed to secure the 71-67 result.

Why it matters

The victory kept Hungary in contention to advance from Group B. That consequence made the result more than a historic moment: It preserved a path forward in the tournament after Hungary’s difficult opening game.

Hungary entered the matchup needing a response after losing its tournament opener by 46 points one day earlier. The four-point win represented an immediate reversal, with the team leaning on paint scoring, defensive rebounding and Juhasz’s two-way presence around the basket.

The timing also magnified the performance. Hungary had little opportunity to dwell on its opening defeat, and Juhasz set the tone early enough for the team to establish the style of play that carried it through the game.

By the numbers

Juhasz completed 68% of her scoring before halftime, collecting 13 of her eventual 19 points. She was similarly productive on the glass, securing 69% of her 16 rebounds in the opening half with 11 before the break.

Those early numbers show how quickly she influenced the contest. Hungary’s broader interior totals reinforced that advantage: 42 points in the paint and 38 defensive rebounds became the statistical pillars of the win.

The final score reflected a close game, but Hungary’s work around the basket provided a clear point of separation. Juhasz’s first-half production was especially important because it allowed Hungary to take control rather than spend the game chasing from behind.

What to watch next

The next question is whether Hungary can sustain the interior advantage that drove this result. Its ability to continue generating paint points and finishing defensive possessions with rebounds will be central in the next Group B game.

Juhasz will remain the focal point after delivering most of her scoring and rebounding damage before halftime. Another strong start could help Hungary build on the victory as it continues its push to advance.