How the U.S. advanced to another record-extending gold medal game

Team USA pounded Australia in Friday’s semifinal, 85-64, never trailing and once owning a 30-point lead, to extend its winning streak to 60 games. The team will compete for an eighth-consecutive gold medal at 9:30 a.m. ET on Sunday versus France.

“It’s amazing, understanding what we have accomplished so far,” Stewart said. “We are just starting; this is exactly where we want to be. There is one more game until we get the gold. When you wear this jersey and represent the USA, the standard is high, and there is nothing higher.”

Stewart led the Americans with 16 points on Friday, but contributing players continue to step up as well. Kahleah Copper scored 11 points in 20 minutes, nearly doubling the playing time she was averaging.

“I know all of our players will be ready,” U.S. coach Cheryl Reeve said. “Seize the day. We play 12 players frequently; that is hard to do in a 40-minute game. When we are faced with this on Sunday, it’s likely going to shrink, so the group is going to be rested.”

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Jackie Young, who played sparingly in the first two group stage matches, continues to be a pivotal player for Team USA as the Olympics progress. Young started and scored 14 points with five assists. She only collected six assists in the first four games. Young averages more than 18 points per game with the Las Vegas Aces. The Aces selected A’ja Wilson and Young first overall in the WNBA Draft in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

“This is one of the biggest stages,” Wilson said. “This is a great stage for Jackie. I think we are seeing Jackie form into herself. She is establishing herself into our league and also in the world. I am very happy to be along with her and watch her grow. I like how she is just spreading her wings.”

Another tough loss for Opals

For Australia, the USA roadblock continues. According to FIBA, the U.S. has bested the Opals nine times in Olympic history, more than any other opponent. Six of the wins were decided by more than 20 points, including the recent quarterfinal in Tokyo three years ago.

“We had to play a perfect game today,” Australia coach Sandy Brondello said. “Nine times out of 10, there is one game when you might be able to beat them on a bad day. It wasn’t our best day here. I am disappointed we didn’t put up a bigger effort. But, we need to park it and focus on still winning a medal.”

Team USA capitalized on 26 fast break points and limited three of the starters to less than 30% shooting.

“They are just great players,” Opals guard Sami Whitcomb said of the U.S. “I thought we didn’t execute the scout. They did a really good job of running in transition, they made shots and defended well. We will regroup, I am excited to compete in that game (bronze medal game) and play much better and hopefully, get a medal.”

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The U.S. now turns its attention to France

The French team advanced to the championship following an 81-75 overtime thriller with Belgium. Emma Meesseman of Belgium connected on a game-tying three with eight seconds left in regulation before Gabby Williams scored the first five points of overtime. Williams finished with 18 points, one less than Meesseman. The U.S. defeated France in the gold medal game at London 2012.

“It will be an incredible atmosphere,” Stewart added. “In Tokyo, we played Japan, but there were no spectators. You want that loud excitement. Even when we played Belgium in Lille, that was crazy. Hopefully, we have some coming from the United States. I always loved to play with Gabby and Marine (Johannes), and now they are the leaders of French basketball, and they are getting better and better.”

Stewart won the last two of her four NCAA championships with UConn as a teammate of Williams and played with Johannes with the New York Liberty.

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History corner

This is the first time that both the men’s and women’s basketball finals will feature teams from the same nations. With the French women’s team playing at home for the gold medal, it joins the U.S., which won at Los Angeles 1984 and Atlanta 1996, the Soviet Union (won in 1980), Australia (lost in 2000), and Japan (lost in 2021). The French women’s handball team will try to defend its gold medal versus Norway on Saturday. The Soviet Union in 1976 and 1980 is the only nation to win both the women’s basketball and handball titles at the same Games, and France is the first since South Korea in 1984 to advance to both finals. The South Koreans lost both.

The U.S. will look to do what it did in Tokyo and win gold medals in women’s volleyball and basketball on the same day. The volleyball team plays Italy at 5 a.m. ET on Sunday. The U.S. women’s basketball and soccer teams both won the gold medal in 1996, 2004, 2008, and 2012.