SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (March 11, 2026) — Las Vegas Aces guards Chelsea Gray and Jackie Young helped lead the USA to a 110-46 victory over Senegal, while Aces center Megan Gustafson posted a game-high 20 points to lift Spain over New Zealand 99-50 to open 2026 FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournament competition in Puerto Rico on Wednesday.

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USA 110, Senegal 46 (Box Score || Game Highlights)

Gray and Young combined for 5 of the USA’s first 7 points as the North Americans opened with a dominating 15-1 run. Senegal hit its first field goal of the game at 4:13, but had no answer and the USA went up 28-11 at the end of the first quarter. Team USA never took its foot off the gas pedal and its lead blossomed to as many as 66 points in the final period to end with a 110-46 victory. The well-balanced U.S. squad spread out the minutes, with everyone seeing between 10-21 minutes of play. Gray contributed 3 points, 2 boards, 2 assists and 1 steal; Young added 8 points and 5 rebounds.

Spain 99, New Zealand 40 (Box Score || Gustafson Highlights || Press Conference feat. Gustafson)

After a slow start that had the Kiwis up 6-2 through more than five minutes of play, Spain took over and outscored New Zealand 20-3 over the remainder of the period. New Zealand never again threatened. Gustafson, FIBA’s ‘Player of the Game,’ made 6 of 9 of her attempts from the inside and was 8 of 9 from the line, while grabbing 6 boards and tallying 3 steals and 3 blocked shots. She also was the most efficient player of the game with a 26 rating.

Both teams continue play Thursday, with Spain playing Senegal at 11 a.m. (all times Pacific) and the USA taking on host Puerto Rico at 5 p.m. Information on how to watch the games live can be found here and game highlights and press conferences are available here.

Three additional six-team FIBA World Cup Qualifying Tournaments are taking place concurrently in China, France and Türkiye.

Though the United States qualified for the 2026 FIBA World Cup by virtue of its 2025 FIBA AmeriCup gold medal, it is using the qualifying tournament as preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Spain, however, must finish among the top three teams in the Puerto Rico qualifier to earn a berth to the 2026 World Cup.

2026 World Cup host Germany, Australia (2025 Oceania gold medalist), Belgium (2025 Europe gold medalist) and Nigeria (2025 Africa gold medalist) are also taking part in the qualifiers, despite already having earned a spot in the 2026 Worlds, which will eventually feature a field of 16 nations, from Sept. 4-13 in Berlin.

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