Caitlin Clark showcased her skills with a double-double, scoring 14 points and dishing out 11 assists to lead the United States to a commanding 94-61 victory over China in their Fiba Women’s Basketball World Cup opener on Friday in Berlin.

Joining Clark in the scoring effort, Rhyne Howard also contributed 14 points, while Jackie Young added 12 points. This victory marked the 31st consecutive World Cup win for the Americans, a streak dating back to their loss in the 2006 semi-final.

The game highlighted a transitional phase for the U.S. team, featuring a young roster that includes rising stars like Paige Bueckers and Angel Reese. Although they did not start, the trio played crucial minutes together, helping the U.S. dominate the opening quarter with a 27-14 lead.

China, led by the towering Zhang Ziyu, who stands at 7ft 3in, initially struggled but fought back in the second quarter. Zhang's presence made it difficult for the Americans to score inside, and her first basket narrowed the gap to 33-25. However, the U.S. responded with a 16-4 run, ending the half at 49-29.

In the third quarter, Han Xu, standing at 6ft 11in, paired with Zhang, bolstered China's defense. They narrowed the score to 53-37, but the young American trio ignited a 17-5 run, maintaining control of the game.

Zhang finished with 13 points and 9 of 10 free throws, while Han recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds. The game also featured a warm moment as Clark connected with fans, signing autographs and taking photos, further endearing herself to the crowd.