U.S. Women's Basketball Team Advances To Gold Medal Game At Paris Olympics

PARIS (AP) — Breanna Stewart scored 16 points and nan U.S. women precocious to their eighth consecutive Olympic golden badge crippled pinch a 85-64 triumph complete Australia connected Friday.

The Americans, who extended their Olympic winning streak to 60 consecutive games, will look either France aliases Belgium connected Sunday. The U.S. are trying to go nan first squad to triumph 8 consecutive golden medals, breaking nan necktie pinch nan American men’s programme that won 7 successful a statement from 1936-68.

A triumph Sunday would springiness Diana Taurasi a grounds six golden medals. A crippled aft not starting for nan first clip since nan 2004 Olympics, nan Americans’ astir dressed up Olympic hoops subordinate didn’t participate nan crippled until 2:08 remained successful nan 3rd 4th pinch nan U.S. up 63-40.

The U.S. jumped retired to an early lead connected Australia, but only led 20-16 aft nan first quarter. The Americans put nan crippled distant successful nan 2nd quarter, starting nan play pinch a 12-0 run. The U.S. led 45-27 astatine nan half.

Things didn’t get immoderate amended for nan Australians successful nan 2nd half arsenic they ne'er challenged nan Americans.

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 09: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was captured utilizing a distant camera) Kahleah Copper #7 of Team United States goes up for a handbasket complete Cayla George #15 of Team Australia during a Women's semifinal lucifer betwixt Team United States and Team Australia connected time fourteen of nan Olympic Games Paris 2024 astatine Bercy Arena connected August 09, 2024 successful Paris, France. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Gregory Shamus via Getty Images

Jackie Young added 14 points, Kahleah Copper 11 and A’ja WIlson 10 for nan Americans.

Isobel Borlase led Australia pinch 11, and Tess Madgen and Ezi Magbegor each had 10.

While nan American squad features 12 WNBA All-Stars who person won aggregate MVPs, nan Australia roster is afloat of complimentary players successful nan league. The Opals conscionable didn’t person capable violative firepower to compete pinch nan American juggernaut.

In nan end, nan U.S. erstwhile again denied nan Australians a chance astatine a golden badge successful what’s been a one-sided matter betwixt nan teams. The Opals person ne'er beaten nan U.S. successful Olympic competition, losing successful nan golden badge crippled successful 2000, ’04 and ’08.

The Australians besides mislaid to nan U.S. successful nan semifinals of nan 1996 and 2012 Olympics.

Australian seasoned Lauren Jackson played 5 minutes aft sitting retired nan past 2 games and didn’t score. The 43-year-old Jackson hasn’t contributed overmuch successful this Olympics, but nan truth she’s still playing is simply a near occurrence itself aft she retired owed to injuries successful 2016.

Jackson made a return for nan Opals astatine nan 2022 World Cup, helping nan squad gain bronze there. Now she’ll dream that nan squad tin get 1 much triumph Sunday to badge — thing nan Australians person done successful each of nan 4 different Olympics she’s competed in.

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