PARIS — The U.S. women’s basketball team showcased a dominant performance, securing their spot in the gold medal game with an 85-64 victory over Australia at Bercy Arena.
The Americans, aiming for their eighth consecutive gold medal, displayed a remarkable offense led by Jackie Young, A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Copper Kahleah, all scoring in double figures.
The One Electric Quarter
In the semifinal game, the Americans delivered an exceptional second quarter, outscoring Australia 25-11, which propelled them to a commanding lead they never relinquished.
Stepping onto the court with an early 14-4 lead, the U.S. team displayed impressive teamwork, leading by as much as 30 points and outscoring Australia 19-11 in points off turnovers.
Motivation and Success
The U.S. women’s motivation to dominate from the start stemmed from witnessing the need for a comeback in a previous men’s game. A’ja Wilson emphasized the team’s focus on controlling their fate, stating, “My motivation is to not be in that situation. You start to put the game in a lot of different people’s hands, and I don’t really like that. So for us, we’re always about just controlling our own destiny.”
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Breanna Stewart echoed the sentiment, expressing the team’s determination to avoid being in a precarious situation, saying, “(We) saw the way that Serbia came out and played our men and (we made) sure that that wasn’t a situation that happened today.”
Historic Streak
The victory solidifies the U.S. women’s basketball team’s remarkable streak of 60 consecutive wins in Olympic play. Breanna Stewart reflected on the streak, acknowledging the legacy of those who paved the way for U.S.A. Basketball, shaping it into the powerhouse it is today.
As the women’s team prepares to face France in the gold medal game, their legacy and success continue to inspire future generations of basketball players.
