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Updated March 17, 2026, 5:29 p.m. ET
The USA women’s national basketball team is on a roll.
The Americans cruised to a 4-0 record at the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and have defeated opponents by an average margin of 49 points. The U.S. has already qualified for the FIBA World Cup in September in Berlin, but will go for a perfect 5-0 in the tournament against Spain on Tuesday.
Caitlin Clark leads the Americans in points (12.8), assists (6.3) and minutes (20.9) through four games, her first action since her 2025 WNBA season with the Indiana Fever ended prematurely on July 15 due to injury.
Here’s everything you need to know about Tuesday’s matchup between USA and Spain:
End of Q1: USA 21, Spain 16
Team USA has a five-point lead over Spain following a back-and-forth contest against Spain. The bigs dominated early, with both teams trading buckets. Former National Player of the Year Megan Gustafson, who like Caitlin Clark went to Iowa, quickly tallied a game-high seven points for Spain, while Dearica Hamby has a team-high six points for USA. The Americans trailed Spain early on, but created some separation with a 7-1 run to end the first quarter.
WOMEN’S SPORTS: The latest news and insider insights from USA TODAY Studio IX.
Caitlin Clark sinks deep 3-pointer to retake lead
Caitlin Clark gave Team USA a 19-15 lead with 1:08 remaining in the first quarter. Clark is up to five points.
Team USA trailing early against Spain
Spain leads Team USA 11-8 with 4:50 remaining in the first quarter. Megan Gustafson, who plays for the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces alongside Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young, has scored seven of Spain’s 11 points so far.
Caitlin Clark checks in
We’re underway at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Nate Tibbetts, who is serving as the head coach of Team USA, went to his bench early and substituted Caitlin Clark for Rhyne Howard with 6:23 remaining in the first quarter as Team USA led Spain, 8-5.
Team USA women’s basketball vs. Spain: TV, streaming
Date: Tuesday, March 17Time: 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT)TV: TNTStream: Sling TV, HBO Max
How to watch Team USA: Schedule
All times Eastern
Team USA women’s basketball results
Team USA starting lineup
Team USA went with a veteran lineup to start Tuesday’s game. Dearica Hamby, Kahleah Copper, Chelsea Gray, Rhyne Howard and Jackie Young are the first five on the court.
Spain’s starting lineup
Mariona Ortiz, Maite Cazorla, Helena Pueyo, Raquel Carrera and Megan Gustafson are the starters for Spain.
Team USA takes court
Team USA Women’s World Cup Qualifying 2026 – Team Roster
Below are the players selected to represent the USA at the upcoming FIBA Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
(4) Paige Bueckers(5) Kelsey Plum(6) Dearica Hamby(7) Kahleah Copper(8) Chelsea Gray(9) Angel Reese(10) Rhyne Howard(11) Rae Burrell(12) Caitlin Clark(13) Jackie Young(14) Monique Billings(15) Kiki Iriafen
Team Spain Women’s World Cup Qualifying 2026 – Team Roster
(2) Elena Buenavida – Guard(4) Mariona Ortiz – Point Guard(5) Maite Cazorla – Point Guard(6) Aina Ayuso – Guard(8) Maria Araujo – Power Forward(9) Helena Pueyo – Small Forward(10) Maria Conde – Small Forward(11) Awa Fam – Center(14) Raquel Carrera – Center(17) Megan Gustafson – Center(20) Paula Ginzo – Center(44) Iyana Martin – Point Guard
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