July 30, the Olympic women’s basketball group stage continues in Paris, with Team USA facing off against Japan.
In this game, Team USA had a clear advantage in the paint, with Wilson scoring consecutively to help her team take control. However, Japan’s tactics were very determined, relying on speed and three-point shots, which allowed them to stay close in the score. Whenever the USA tried to pull away, Japan would have players step up and hit three-pointers. Japan trailed 15-22 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Japan continued to keep the score close, but their disadvantage in the paint was too significant, allowing Wilson and Stewart to score consistently. Fortunately for Japan, they had a good touch from beyond the arc, keeping them in the game. Unfortunately, they allowed the USA to score consecutively in the final stages of the half, extending the lead into double digits. At halftime, Japan trailed 39-50 against Team USA.
At halftime, Wilson had 17 points and 7 rebounds for Team USA, while Stewart contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds, though she only made 1 out of 12 three-point attempts. Japan shot 9 out of 23 from three-point range, with Maya Yamamoto scoring 11 points.