Team USA won its eighth consecutive gold medal, beating France 67-66. A’ja Wilson led the team with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks.
Oui Win Again. ???????? #USABWNT pic.twitter.com/bF8T5AMWXY
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 11, 2024
USA France
Team USA struggled in the first quarter, scoring just 15 points and shooting 5-13 from the field. Their defense was excellent, limiting France to 4-21 shooting from the field as Team USA led 15-9 after one quarter of play.
In the second quarter, France would take control of the game by forcing Team USA to turn the ball over.France would outscore Team USA 11-5, tying the game at 20 with 4:17 left in the quarter.
France would go on take a 25-23 lead with 1:02 left, their first lead of the game. It didn’t last long, as Napheesa Collier scored at the buzzer to tie the game.
Napheesa Collier tips it in to tie the game before halftime. #ParisOlympics
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— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) August 11, 2024
Team USA would turn the ball over 13 times, resulting in 12 points for France, while forcing just 6 turnovers and scoring 4 points.
After the halftime break, France went on a 10-0 run to take a 35-25 lead over the US. This was Team USA’s largest deficit in the Olympics, but they responded with their own run.
Team USA would go on a 16-5 run, regaining the lead after a Napheesa Collier basket put them up 41-40. They led 45-43 after three quarters of play.
The fourth quarter would be back and forth, with Team USA taking their largest lead of four points, 63-59, with 17 seconds left. France did not go away, coming within one with 5 seconds left on a Gabby Williams three-pointer.
Kahleah Copper would make two key free throws, putting Team USA ahead 67-64 with 3 seconds left. With France needing a three, Gabby Williams made a tremendous shot, but her foot was on the line, and it was a two, giving Team USA a 67-66 victory.
Three players for Team USA scored in double digits, lead by A’ja Wilson, who struggled but finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Wilson’s defense was crucial down the stretch of this game, as she ended with one steal and four blocks.
A'ONE OF ONE
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— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) August 11, 2024
Kelsey Plum and Kahleah Copper both ended with 12 points and made significant contributions in this contest. Kelsey Plum’s tenacious defense and ability to go downhill were crucial in this game, as she also made Team USA’s only two three-pointers.
Copper, on the other hand, was tremendous, making the largest free throws at the conclusion of the game and playing excellent defense against the French guards.
France had just one player score in double figures and that was Gabby Williams who was outstanding all Olympics for France. Williams ended with 19 points, 7 rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
