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SAITAMA, Japan – With a fluid execution that became more and more impressive as the Tokyo Olympics unfolded, the US women’s basketball team had the chance to play for a seventh back-to-back gold medal with a 79-59 victory over Serbia on Friday.
The Americans had a clear and concise game plan for Serbia, who were bronze medalists in 2016 and won the coveted Eurobasket title earlier this summer, and it centered on setting up their star players. .
Whether it was Brittney Griner, who came into the game shooting 69% from the field in Japan and finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds, A’ja Wilson on the block or Breanna Stewart cutting at the edge, the plan created positions. advantageous.
By the fourth quarter, the Serbs had had enough, choosing to foul Griner when she put the ball inside. In a game-defining moment, Serbian forward Dragana Stankovic slapped Griner’s arms in frustration to stop another shot. Griner just shook his head with an annoyed smile.
“We insist on obtaining [Griner] the ball, “said US team coach Dawn Staley.” She’s in great shape and she wants the ball. She is very competitive and wants to do well. And when all of those things line up, you’re playing your best basketball and she’s playing her best Olympic basketball. “
The United States made 10 baskets in the paint in the first half alone (18 for the game), then looked to run after getting saves for easy baskets. Stewart, who runs the floor brilliantly, knew she had a speed advantage over the Serbs, and she ran the floor whenever she saw it and was able to get easy baskets on several occasions. Stewart finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and three assists.
“This is exactly where we want to be, so now it’s all on the line,” said Stewart. “Right now there is so much pressure for seven games in a row [golds] that you kind of get lost in what’s really going on and don’t enjoy being at the Olympics, and I think we did. We went out and had fun. “
Serbia came in with the fourth-best 3-point team percentage at the Olympics, but found no airspace against the long defenders of the United States. The Serbs missed their first seven downs by 3 points and started the game 6 of 22 from the ground, helping the United States forge an 18-point lead in the first half. Serbia only managed 30% of shots for the game.
Chelsea Gray added 14 points for the Americans, who won their 54th consecutive Olympic game.
The only downside of the day for the Americans was that veteran goaltender Diana Taurasi limped off the pitch in the third quarter with a hip injury and didn’t come back. She later said the injury was something she was dealing with and would be ready for Sunday’s game.
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