In the early morning of August 10, in the women’s basketball semi-final of the Paris Olympics, the U.S. women’s basketball team defeated the Australian women’s basketball team 85-64, advancing to the women’s basketball final first.
The U.S. women’s basketball team is undoubtedly the dominant force, having won seven consecutive Olympic championships previously. This game’s opponent, Australia, also has an excellent lineup, with 7 players playing in the WNBA, and head coach Sandy also coaching the Liberty. Australia could be considered one of the strongest opponents of the U.S. women’s basketball team. Even so, Australia couldn’t withstand the strong U.S. women’s basketball team at all. Australia could barely keep up with the score in the first quarter, only trailing by 4 points. However, the U.S. made a push in the second quarter with a 25-11 run, leading by 18 points at halftime. In the second half, the U.S. continued to expand their advantage, eventually defeating Australia by 21 points, advancing to the final first, aiming for an eighth consecutive Olympic championship.
In this game, due to the large lead early on, eliminating any suspense, all 12 players on the U.S. team got playing time. Apart from veteran Diana Taurasi not scoring, the other 11 players all contributed points. Stewart scored 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists, Wilson easily scored 10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 steals, Jackie Young and Cooper also scored in double digits. The depth of the U.S. women’s basketball team is absolutely unparalleled.