USA 97, France 79. Stewart takes the MVP.

France reached halftime in Berlin with a lead over the United States and a chance to win its first Women's World Cup final. Ten minutes of basketball changed the picture. The Americans won the third quarter 30–12 on September 13, then finished a 97–79 victory for their fifth consecutive title and 12th overall.

The quarter that changed the final

FIBA's quarter-by-quarter record shows France leading 20–17 after the first and 45–43 at halftime. The United States then won the third quarter 30–12, taking a 73–57 lead into the fourth. An 18-point advantage in one quarter turned a two-point deficit into a 16-point cushion.

The fourth quarter was much closer, 24–22 to the United States. By then, the Americans were protecting a substantial advantage rather than trying to recover a lead. France's strong first half had made this a competitive final; the third quarter gave the champions room to bring it home. The final 18-point margin does not show how sharply the game turned.

Stewart leads, Young delivers

Stewart finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Jackie Young added 18 points, six rebounds and five assists, according to FIBA's championship report. Stewart also became the first two-time winner of the tournament's MVP award.

Stewart and Young combined for 40 points. Stewart's double-double gave the final a leading performance to go with her MVP honor, while Young supplied scoring, rebounding and five assists. For Liberty fans, Stewart's tournament adds another international achievement to follow as attention shifts back to the WNBA. It does not predict her club's next result, but the championship belongs on her season's résumé.

A wider view of the podium

France left with silver, its best finish, from its first appearance in the final. Spain took bronze with an 81–58 win over Germany. The podium brought American continuity and a French high point together. FIBA's game center, linked below, includes the quarter scores and extended highlights for a closer look at the stretch that decided the gold medal.