OTTAWA, Ontario — Team USA scored in the final second of regulation to force overtime, then outscored the Netherlands 12-4 in the extra period for an 81-73 win Sept. 13 at TD Place in the 2026 IWBF World Championships for Women. Regulation ended tied 69-69 before the U.S. took control during the five-minute overtime.

Rose Hollermann led Team USA with 24 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists in 45 minutes. Ixhelt Gonzalez and Lindsey Zurbrugg scored 18 points apiece. Gonzalez added seven rebounds and four assists, while Zurbrugg finished with seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Courtney Ryan added 10 points, six rebounds and seven assists.

NETHERLANDS TAKES EARLY LEAD

The Netherlands led 16-13 after the first quarter, but Team USA took the lead during the second. Ryan tied the game at 19, Zoe Voris followed with a basket for a 21-19 lead, and Ryan and Hollermann added scores as the U.S. built a 25-19 advantage.

Becca Murray contributed six points in the second quarter, including baskets that put Team USA ahead 30-21 and 32-25. Gonzalez followed with a layup as the U.S. carried a 35-33 advantage into halftime.

DUTCH RESPONSE

The Netherlands tied the score at 37 early in the third quarter, and the teams exchanged leads through the middle of the period. Gonzalez scored to give Team USA a 39-37 lead, and Zurbrugg followed with Team USA’s only three-pointer of the game for a 42-39 advantage.

The Netherlands answered. Mariska Beijer and Bo Kramer accounted for several of the scores as the Netherlands took the lead and closed the quarter with a 55-49 advantage. Beijer finished with 26 points and nine rebounds, while Kramer had 17 points, 18 rebounds and eight assists.

Murray said the U.S. emphasis was on staying composed and maintaining its defensive structure as momentum shifted between the teams.

“We just had to maintain our level of composure through all of that,” Murray said. She said Team USA also needed defenders supporting one another rather than concentrating only on individual assignments against players such as Beijer and Kramer.

FINAL-SECOND RESPONSE

The Netherlands led 63-57 with 4:31 remaining in regulation. Hollermann scored to cut the margin to four, and Zurbrugg made a driving layup to bring the U.S. within 63-61. After the Netherlands extended the lead again, Hollermann scored to make it 65-63.

Zurbrugg stole the ball and scored with 35.2 seconds remaining to make it 67-65. Gonzalez then scored with 8.1 seconds left, cutting the Netherlands lead to 68-67. Beijer made one free throw for a 69-67 lead with 7.5 seconds remaining. Gonzalez missed a three-pointer on the next possession, but Hollermann collected the offensive rebound and converted a layup with 0.5 seconds left to tie the game at 69.

Gonzalez said the group welcomed the additional five minutes.

“We were so excited to play another five minutes of a great game and play for each other,” Gonzalez said. She also pointed to Team USA’s depth and its focus on continuing to push the pace, even when the game moved through scoring runs and droughts.

OVERTIME SEPARATION

Kramer scored first in overtime to give the Netherlands a 71-69 lead. Hollermann answered on consecutive possessions, putting Team USA ahead 73-71. Ryan then stole a pass from Kramer and converted a driving layup for a 75-71 advantage.

Gonzalez scored twice in the final 1:34, first on a field goal and then on a layup, extending the U.S. lead to 79-73. Zurbrugg completed the scoring with a layup with 4.4 seconds remaining for the 81-73 final.

Team USA finished with 28 assists on 38 made field goals and committed five turnovers. The U.S. shot 46.9 percent from the field and held a 46-43 rebounding advantage.

Murray said the result gave the team confidence, while keeping the focus on the games ahead.

“That’s a great win, but it’s not over,” Murray said. “We have Japan next, so that’s our next focus.”