Breanna Stewart delivered 22 points and 10 rebounds as the United States beat France 97-79 in the Women's World Cup final to claim a fifth straight championship. The Americans overturned a two-point halftime deficit with a 54-34 second half, turning a close contest into an 18-point victory.

What happened

The final changed decisively after halftime. France held a two-point advantage at the break, but the United States outscored the silver medalists by 20 across the second half to take the title.

Stewart's scoring and rebounding were backed by contributions from Jackie Young and Kahleah Copper. Young finished with 18 points, four made 3-pointers, six rebounds and five assists, while Copper added 15 points.

The second-half scoring tells the central story of the result. The Americans entered that stretch needing to erase a deficit and finished with a margin that reflected how thoroughly the balance had shifted.

Why it matters

The championship takes the United States to 12 Women's World Cup titles. It also extends the American run to five consecutive championships, adding another victory to that sustained sequence.

For France, a first Women's World Cup final ends with silver. Its halftime lead made the final competitive through the opening half, before the American scoring advantage after the break settled the outcome.

By the numbers

Stewart, Young and Copper combined for 55 points, accounting for 56.7% of the winning total. Their combined production supplied more than half of the United States' 97 points, with Stewart contributing 22, Young 18 and Copper 15.

Young paired her four made 3-pointers with six rebounds and five assists. Stewart's 10 rebounds accompanied her 22 points, giving the Americans substantial production in both categories from the same player.

The decisive comparison remains 54-34 in the second half. That 20-point advantage explains the full swing from a two-point halftime deficit to an 18-point winning margin.

What to watch next

The reference points for the next Women's World Cup are now established: the United States has five consecutive titles and 12 overall. France's silver marks its first appearance in the championship game, with this final providing the latest comparison between the two teams.