The win that extended Team USA’s streak to 60 games was all but decided by halftime.
They had an 18-point lead against Australia.
Breanna Stewart, facing the team led by Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello, already had 11 points, and Jackie Young — who replaced Diana Taurasi in the starting lineup before their quarterfinal win earlier this week — already had 10.
And when the final 20 minutes had elapsed, ending the first women’s basketball semifinal of the 2024 Olympics with a 85-64 Team USA victory, this was all more of the same.
Team USA still hasn’t lost in the Olympics since Barcelona in 1992, and their quest for an eighth consecutive gold medal will culminate when the collection of WNBA stars faces host France on Sunday.
A’ja Wilson defends against Australia on Aug. 9 during the women’s basketball semifinals. REUTERS
Breanna Stewart, pictured during the Aug. 9 semifinals, will
have a chance to win another gold medal with Team USA on
Sunday in the Olympics. NBAE via Getty Images“The streak is crazy. I mean, they just told me when I was doing TV that it was, like, before I was born that it kind of started, which is wild,” Stewart told reporters.
“It just goes to show those that have really paved the way and to create USA Basketball and what it is now. Tons of appreciation for that and knowing that when you represent this jersey and wear USA across your chest the standard is high and there really is nothing higher.”
Jackie Young collected 10 points for Team USA in the first half during their win in the semifinals Aug. 9. Getty Images2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
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After the first quarter, Team USA only led by four, but they outscored Australia by 14 in the second frame — sparked by a 12-0 run to open it, with Kahleah Copper, Sabrina Ionescu and Jewell Loyd all hitting 3-pointers — and entered the break with a commanding lead.
That advantage quickly swelled past 20 early in the third.
The depth of the Team USA lineup was on display again, with 11 players scoring, and it has positioned them for another shot at a gold medal, another chance to keep the winning streak going, another chance for the dynasty — perhaps the most prolific one in the Olympics — to live on for another four years.
