USA rolls past Czechia to finish Group Play 3-0

Photo courtesy of USA Basketball
Used with permission.

By Chris Price
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

BERLIN, GERMANY (September 7, 2026)  The United States women’s basketball team finished group play at the FIBA Women’s World Cup with a dominant 105-64 win over Czechia on Monday night at Berlin Arena.

The victory improved the USA to 3-0 in Group D and marked the Americans’ third straight World Cup win over Czechia. The United States now moves on to the quarterfinals, where it will face either Hungary or Japan on Thursday, Sept. 10.

After a tough offensive game against Italy, the USA came out firing against Czechia.

The Americans scored 29 points in the first quarter while holding Czechia to 15. The 29 points were the USA’s highest-scoring quarter of the tournament. The team shot 50 percent from the field in the opening period and made four 3-pointers.

The strong start continued throughout the game. The USA shot 52.5 percent from the field, making 42 of 80 shots. The Americans also finished with seven 3-pointers and 32 assists.

All 12 USA players scored at least once, showing the team’s depth and unselfish style of play. Five players finished with at least three assists.

Breanna Stewart (No. 10, shown above) led the USA with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. She also recorded a steal and a blocked shot. Stewart scored 11 points in the first quarter and had 13 points, six rebounds and six assists by halftime.

Stewart also continued her impressive World Cup record. She has now won all 23 games she has played in the tournament.

Napheesa Collier added 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and a steal. The game marked her first World Cup, and her 12 points were a personal best in major international competition.

The USA defense was just as impressive. Czechia shot only 32.8 percent from the field and made just three of 30 3-point attempts.

With the group stage complete, the USA will now turn its attention to the quarterfinals and another step toward a World Cup title.

McNeese State dominates Texas Wesleyan in 52-0 shutout

Photo by Darla S Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA (September 5, 2026)  The McNeese State Cowboys displayed total dominance on Saturday night, shutting out Texas Wesleyan Rams 52-0 at Navarre Stadium in Lake Charles.

The win moved McNeese to 1-1 on the season, while Texas Wesleyan dropped to 0-2. The Cowboys finished the night with 500 total yards, including 280 passing yards and 220 rushing yards.

Quarterback Devin Lippold (No. 19, shown above) made his first career start and delivered a strong performance. The Clear Lake (TX) High School prep star completed 15 of 20 passes for 199 yards and four touchdowns before leaving the game midway through the third quarter. His four touchdown passes were the most by a McNeese quarterback in a game since Cody Orgeron threw four in 2021.

Lippold connected with Solo Lewis for a 22-yard touchdown in the first quarter to give McNeese a 7-0 lead.

The Cowboys then added a big play on special teams. Javon Davis blocked a Texas Wesleyan field goal, and Safir Stills-Bey picked up the loose ball and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown. It was McNeese's first blocked field goal since 2024 and its first blocked field goal returned for a touchdown since 2002.

McNeese's defense continued to make plays. Sentario Willis intercepted a pass and returned it 37 yards, setting up another touchdown. Willis has now recorded an interception in each of the Cowboys' first two games.

McNeese led 24-0 at halftime and continued to pull away after the break. Backup quarterback Brady Barrier added a touchdown pass to Wyatt Fontenot, while Marquez Davis scored on a 13-yard run late in the fourth quarter.

The Cowboys held Texas Wesleyan to just 187 total yards, including 74 rushing yards.

McNeese will return to action Saturday, Sept. 12, when the Cowboys host Tarleton State at 6 p.m. Tarleton enters the game ranked among the top five teams in the FCS.

North Shore shows its championship poise in 27-17 win over John Curtis

Photo by Darla S. Tamulitis, La Vita Loca Photography
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved

LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA (September 4, 2026)  The North Shore Mustangs passed another major test Friday night, rallying in the fourth quarter to defeat Louisiana powerhouse John Curtis Christian Patriots 27-17 in a matchup of nationally recognized high school football programs.

For North Shore, the victory was more than just another win. It was an early-season statement from the defending Texas Class 6A Division I champions and one of the Houston area’s premier football programs.

The Mustangs improved to 2-0 with the road victory after opening the season with a 35-0 shutout of Lancaster. North Shore has now outscored its first two opponents 62-17.

North Shore controlled the first half against John Curtis, taking a 14-3 lead into halftime. The Mustangs scored seven points in each of the first two quarters before the Patriots responded with a strong third quarter.

John Curtis scored twice in the third period, turning a 14-3 deficit into a 17-14 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Instead of allowing the momentum to slip away, North Shore answered with its best football when the game was on the line.

The Mustangs scored twice in the final quarter to regain control and secure the 27-17 victory.

Mustang quarterback JaVoris Taylor played an important role in the victory, completing 12 of 17 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 64 yards. North Shore finished with 210 rushing yards and 108 passing yards.

The victory also extended North Shore’s winning streak to eight games, dating back to last season. The Mustangs finished the 2025 campaign 14-2 and captured another Texas state championship, continuing a remarkable run for the Galena Park ISD program.

Now 2-0, North Shore returns to Texas for another major test. The Mustangs will travel to Dallas to face South Oak Cliff on September 12 in Cotton Bowl Stadium.