Emilea Zingas delivered a masterful performance on the international stage, leading Team USA to a commanding 78-65 victory over Canada in the FIBA U23 Women’s World Cup semifinals at the Istanbul Sports Arena on Thursday night.
The 21-year-old forward from Oregon State posted 24 points and 12 rebounds, shooting an efficient 9-of-15 from the field and connecting on 3-of-5 attempts from beyond the arc. Her dominant display helped the Americans overcome a sluggish start and advance to Sunday’s gold medal game.
Late Rally Seals American Victory
Team USA trailed 35-32 at halftime before Zingas took control in the third quarter. The Corvallis native scored 12 points in the frame, including back-to-back three-pointers that sparked a 16-4 run and gave the Americans a lead they would not relinquish.
“Emilea stepped up when we needed her most,” said Team USA head coach Tara VanDerveer. “Her ability to stretch the floor and crash the boards made the difference down the stretch.”
Canada, led by forward Aaliyah Edwards’ 18 points, couldn’t match the Americans’ second-half intensity. The Canadians shot just 6-of-22 from three-point range and committed 17 turnovers, including eight in the decisive third quarter.
Zingas Continues Breakout Summer
The performance capped a remarkable summer for Zingas, who averaged 15.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game during Oregon State’s Pac-12 regular season. She entered the tournament as Team USA’s third-leading scorer but has emerged as their most consistent offensive threat through five games.
“I’ve been working on expanding my range all summer,” Zingas said after the game. “Coach VanDerveer has given me the green light to let it fly, and my teammates have been finding me in great spots.”
Zingas shot 47 percent from three-point range during the tournament’s group stage, connecting on 14-of-30 attempts across four games. Her versatility has allowed Team USA to play multiple lineup configurations, with the 6-foot-1 forward equally effective in the post and on the perimeter.
Path to Gold Medal Game
Team USA entered the tournament as heavy favorites but faced unexpected challenges in the knockout rounds. They needed overtime to defeat Australia in the quarterfinals before Thursday’s more convincing victory over Canada.
The Americans will face defending champion Spain in Sunday’s final at 2 p.m. local time. Spain advanced with a 71-68 upset victory over France in the other semifinal, led by guard Marta Garcia’s 22 points.
Point guard Hailey Van Lith added 16 points and seven assists for Team USA, while center Lauren Betts contributed 14 points and eight rebounds. The trio has formed the core of an American squad seeking the program’s fourth U23 World Cup title in the last six tournaments.
Team USA improved to 23-1 in U23 World Cup play since 2010 and has not lost a game in regulation during that span. Their lone defeat came in triple overtime against Australia in the 2019 semifinals.
Sunday’s championship game will be broadcast live on ESPN2, with Zingas and her teammates looking to cap their summer with gold.
