MADRID — As has happened nine of the last 11 times, Team USA is the last one standing.
On Sunday, the American contingency in Madrid won a gold medal in the 2023 FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup, winning a 69-66 thriller over Spain. Rising Irish freshman Hannah Hidalgo was a critical part of the victory. She had 9 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals and a block. Her final steal came with 9 seconds to go, sealing the win for Team USA.
The game was a back-and-forth affair. The U.S. looked like it would pull away at several points in the contest, but Spain continued to hang around. With 45 seconds to go, Spain’s Iyana Martin Carrion tied it up at 66-66. Cotie McMahon euro-stepped her way to the basket, giving the American’s a 68-66 lead with 22 seconds to go.
On Spain’s ensuing possession, Hidalgo stepped in and grabbed the steal that would ultimately give Team USA its 10th gold medal at the U19 Women’s World Cup.
All in all, Hidalgo had a wildly successful tournament. She broke two single-game records for Team USA: steals (8) and assists (13). She finished averaging 5.4 assists per game, which is tied for third all-time for Team USA over the course of the tournament. Her 22 total steals is now tied for second. Hidalgo also averaged 10.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per contest. As a result of her performance, Hidalgo was named to the tournament’s All Star 5.
Just prior to the Team USA win, Irish sophomore Cassandre Prosper earned her second bronze medal of the summer as part of Team Canada, as the Canadian U19 team beat France in overtime, 80-73. Prosper did not play for an undisclosed reason, but she was on the sideline cheering her team to a miraculous comeback to earn Team Canada’s second bronze medal ever in the tournament.
After being down 66-55 with just over 6 minutes to play, Canada ended regulation on a 13-2 run to force extra time. The team hit its shots down the stretch, while France struggled offensively. The French shot 37 percent on the day and were out-rebounded, 54-44.
Despite missing the final game of Canada’s trip to Madrid, Prosper was a force with which to be reckoned during the tournament. She finished with 16.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. She led the team in scoring and steals and ranked second in assists and blocks. Prosper ranked fourth amongst all players in the World Cup in blocks, continuing to play the excellent defense she brought to the floor for Notre Dame last season.