The U.S. women’s basketball team did their best on Sunday to defeat France, 67-66, winning the gold medal for the eighth straight Olympics tournament.
France led by 10 points in the second half and were close to ending an historic run by the Americans, who have won gold in every Olympics since 1996, according to Yahoo Sports.
“History doesn’t earn you another [gold medal],” U.S. team member Diana Taurasi said.
“You’ve got to earn it. All these teams have anted up, they’re all spending money, they’re investing in their team. You see it in the tournament. Any given night, any team could have won.”
A’ja Wilson led Team USA with 21 points, and Kelsey Plum and Kahleah Copper both came off the bench to contribute 12 points each.
“I don’t think any of us were startled or lost composure,” Sabrina Ionescu said.
“We were playing a really good France team in France. We understood they were going to have the crowd, everyone behind them. That room sometimes feels bigger when you have that.”
Everyone thought Gabby Williams had tied for France in the last seconds when she seemingly threw a three-pointer, but her foot was on the line. It could have been a miracle for France to take the game into overtime.
The women’s basketball final was the final medal awarded at the Games, giving the U.S. its 40th gold in Paris and sealing a tie with China for the most gold medals.
“I saw the medal count beforehand,” Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve said. “I thought, ‘That’s what we need, more pressure.’”
The United States led the medal table with 126 medals, followed by China with 91.
A’jaa Wilson was on fire with 13 rebounds and four blocks. After going 2-for-9 shooting in the first half, she went 4-for-5 plus seven free throws in the second.
She was named MVP of the Olympics averaging 18.7 points and 10.2 assists over the six games.
“It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but it was the ones sometimes you got to grind out and I think we did a decent job of doing that,” Wilson said. “It was an electric atmosphere. I feel like everyone sitting here felt it. It was a great one to play in.”
