Facing off against the reigning world champions is intimidating for any squad. But the New Zealand Tall Ferns had a simple rule heading into their clash with Team USA: no fangirling. In the game, Team USA’s stellar play, featuring stars like Caitlin Clark, was a reminder of why the Americans are considered a powerhouse, but team captain Tayla Dalton and her teammates refused to be star-struck.

“We talked about no fangirling on court, and right from the get-go we played New Zealand basketball,” Dalton said. “We did our jersey proud, and it was so fun competing against some of the best players in the world. There were glimpses where we were playing really good basketball. We were playing as a team, and it’s not every day that you get to play the USA team—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m really proud of the girls.”

Usually, when a team is more excited about meeting their basketball idols than competing to win, coaches tend to frown. But Natalie Hurst? She echoed her captain’s sentiment as well.

“They swarm you, they’re athletic, and they can all shoot the basketball. They keep putting the pressure on for 40 minutes. They’re the best, a powerhouse of basketball. It’s amazing for our girls to get out on the court and see them live as well.”

But the Ferns weren’t there just to watch; they competed and gave it their all as New Zealand traded baskets with the WNBA-laden Americans before Team USA pulled away, eventually taking a 101–46 victory.

Caitlin Clark helps Team USA rout New Zealand by 55

Team USA’s offence was on full display as the Americans rolled past New Zealand 101–46, a 55-point blowout that marked their second-largest win of the qualifiers.

After coming off a 52.4% three-point performance against Italy less than 24 hours earlier, the Americans got off to a slow start from deep as they missed three of their first four shots. However, that didn’t last long. Midway through the first quarter, the Americans heated up, led by Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard, who finished with a game-high 18 points while shooting 6-of-10 from three.

The Tall Ferns briefly matched the U.S., taking a 12-11 lead on a Tegan Graham basket before Angel Reese led a 16-0 run that set the tone for the rest of the game. Reese finished with six points, two steals, and two blocks, providing a dominant inside presence while exerting strong defensive pressure.

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“Early game, back-to-back, quick turnaround, we weren’t great in the first quarter. I thought the last three quarters, we really stepped up, competed,” interim coach Nate Tibbetts said. “Our second group came in and really set the tone for the rest of the game. I think that’s the beauty of having a great team, is there’s a lot of people that can contribute to winning.”

Caitlin Clark, making her first start of the tournament after three games off the bench, made her presence felt immediately. She scored 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting, added six assists, and two steals in just 23 minutes, showcasing the scoring efficiency and playmaking that make her a cornerstone of Team USA’s World Cup plans.

The Americans maintained control throughout the second half, with Jackie Young, Kelsey Plum, and Paige Bueckers hitting multiple threes and keeping New Zealand under pressure. Despite some late-resurgence attempts from Sharne Robati, who hit two threes in the third quarter, the U.S. closed the game strong, limiting the Tall Ferns to just seven points in the fourth quarter.

“We knew coming in that we were going to have to stay focused, continue to play USA basketball,” Howard said. “We have to take this and use this challenge going into the next game.”

With a victory of this margin, Team USA not only extended its undefeated run in the qualifiers but also showcased the depth and versatility of its roster.

The Americans will now turn their attention to their final qualifier matchup against Spain on March 17, a game that could help fine-tune rotations and solidify chemistry heading into the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin later this year.