In a stunning display of skill and composure, Mongolia's national 3x3 basketball team delivered an electrifying upset victory over the favored USA team, securing their place in the FIBA 3x3 World Cup Semi-Finals. The momentous 18-15 win unfolded on Saturday before a roaring home crowd, igniting a fervent atmosphere at Sukhbaatar Square. This victory marks a significant milestone for the 10th-ranked Mongolian squad, who had previously battled through the Play-In Round with a gritty win against China, setting the stage for their monumental triumph over the world's fifth-ranked USA team.

Khulan Onolbaatar emerged as the undisputed star of the match, contributing eight of her nine points from beyond the 2-point line, accounting for four of Mongolia's six crucial 2-pointers against the Americans. Her timely shots kept USA at bay whenever they attempted to close the gap. Supporting her stellar performance, Ariuntsetseg Bat-Erdene added five points and five rebounds, while Nandinkhusel Nyamjav sealed the victory with four points, including two critical free throws in the final 1.7 seconds, ensuring the game remained out of USA's reach.

The USA team, having swept pool play with a 4-0 record, entered the quarter-final as clear favorites. However, Mongolia's disciplined defense and unwavering composure under high-stakes pressure proved to be their decisive advantage. Despite facing a significant size disadvantage in the paint, the Mongolians strategically leaned on their superior shooting from the 2-point line, converting 12 points from 24 attempts, while taking only eight shots inside the arc. In contrast, USA attempted just eight 2-pointers and relied heavily on their paint scoring, going 11-for-23.

The game was a tense affair, with Mongolia initially gaining a 10-6 lead after an Onolbaatar shot with 5:20 left, sending the crowd into a frenzy. USA's leading scorer, Sarah Strong, fought valiantly, firing 11 points to keep her team in contention, even tying the score at 15 apiece with 34 seconds remaining. Yet, an Onolbaatar bucket from a broken play with 18 seconds left gave Mongolia the lead they would not surrender. A crucial defensive stop in the final possession thwarted USA's last attempt to tie, and Nyamjav's steady hands at the free-throw line iced the game for Mongolia. Expressing her disbelief and joy, Onolbaatar stated, “It still feels unreal. This is the best team in the world and then we beat them in the Quarter-Finals in front of our home crowd. They were so amazing. But we’re not done. As Steve Sir says, we’re hungry for two more tomorrow. Our magical run continues.” Mongolia is now set to face Poland in a highly anticipated Semi-Final matchup on Sunday at 17:25.