Caitlin Clark and Team USA survive Italy despite awful shooting night

The United States narrowly avoided its first loss at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup in 20 years on Sunday, as the Americans rallied in the fourth quarter to stave off Italy in the second of three games in Group D.

Team USA has locked up a spot in the quarterfinals of the 16-team tournament. But Kara Lawson's side was made to work for it in the country's lowest-scoring World Cup game for 55 years.

The US shot just 29 percent from the field in a defensive battle, during which Caitlin Clark was held to only one point and did not make a field goal.

In 18 minutes, Clark shot 0-for-6 and had two turnovers against one assist.

MORE: Americans survive late Italian scare to punch ticket to World Cup quarterfinals

The shooting woes were endemic. Clark and Breanna Stewart combined to shoot 1-of-15 from the floor, and Jackie Young was Team USA's leading scorer with 10 points.

As a team, the US made just one 3-pointer, when Paige Bueckers sank her only attempt of the game in the third quarter.

The saving grace for a US team that made only 16 shots for the game is that Italy didn't do much better. Italy made 18 shots and converted only 31 percent of its attempts.

In addition, the Americans sank 22 out of 30 free throws, which came in handy down the stretch in Berlin.

Lawson and the USA's star-studded coaching staff will be relieved to get this game out of the way, but the Americans' wobble against Italy will serve as a wake-up call for the group's veterans and young players alike.

More WNBA news:

• FIBA asks Paige Bueckers to explain viral moment with China’s 7-foot-3 star

• Caitlin Clark makes telling admission after historic Team USA debut

• Angel Reese’s one-word Chelsea Gray message reveals Team USA chemistry

• Caitlin Clark’s absurd August earns perfect new nickname from Fever