BERLIN \u2013 Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers made the most of their World Cup debuts to help the United States rout China in the opener of the tournament.<\/p>\n
Clark had 14 points and 11 assists and Bueckers added another 14 points as the Americans topped China<\/a> 94-61 on Friday.<\/p>\n It was the first of likely many times that Clark and Bueckers will play together in the U.S. backcourt over the next decade for the senior national team. <\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just organic. We know how to play well off of each other,\u201d Bueckers said. “She draws so much defensive attention, so a lot of the defense is worried about her.\u201d<\/p>\n Clark loved having so many offensive options, including Bueckers. Everywhere she turned to pass there was a teammate waiting to score.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously being around so many talented players, obviously our guards are incredible and our bigs too, but you know anybody I pass the ball to, it feels like they\u2019re never going to miss a shot,\u201d Clark said. \u201cThat\u2019s one of my goals when I come into the game \u2014 to facilitate.\u201d<\/p>\n Clark’s 11 assists were the most by a U.S. player since Dawn Staley had 12 against Russia in 1998, which tied her for the most ever with Teresa Edwards, who had a dozen against China in 1986.<\/p>\n