PARIS (AP) — The U.S. women’s basketball team has never been challenged as much in its 32 years of participation in the Olympic Games as it was by France on Sunday.

They seized the opportunity and made history: they won for the eighth time in a row Olympic Gold medal.

It was the closest – and perhaps most beautiful – victory during the series.

“Maybe they won’t say it’s easy and we’ll just go in and win gold,” said the US center Brittney Griner. who burst into tears when she was presented with her third gold medal. “Maybe they’ll stop saying that because, as I said, we see everyone’s best chance. And we saw the chance that France gave us.”

A’ja Wilson scored 21 points and the United States survived a last-second shot from former UConn player Gabby Williams that landed just inside the 3-point line to edge France, winning 67-66 and claiming its eighth consecutive gold medal.

“Eight gold medals in a row is honestly insane,” said Breanna Stewart. “Every time is so different, so special and so hard.”

No team has been able to put pressure on the Americans during their impressive streak of 61 consecutive victories. Before the game against France, only two of those victories had been by single digits.

“It’s incredible. It’s truly a dynasty that we’ve built here at USAB, it’s been incredible,” Wilson said. “And I’m so proud of the resilience that my team has shown. We could have messed it up many times, but we did it. I’m so blessed to be able to say I’ve won gold medals twice.”

The eight consecutive gold medals ended a tie with the American men’s team, which won seven in a row from 1936 to 1968. The women’s victory came less than 24 hours after the U.S. men’s team won. also defeated France in the basketball title game.

This was the first time in Olympic history that teams from the same two countries participated in both gold medal games in basketball.

Unlike the men’s game, it all came down to the last second and one last shot.

The Americans led 67-64 with 3.9 seconds left after Kahleah Copper made two free throws. Marine Johannes brought the ball forward and passed it to Williams, who caught the ball just inside the 3-point line and threw it over the outstretched arms of Breanna Stewart into the net as the final siren sounded.

There was a brief delay before the referees signaled that it was indeed a two-point shot, which drew cheers and many joyful hugs from the Americans while the French players stood in disbelief at having missed the shot by such a small margin.

“I knew right away it was a two-point shot. It was very difficult for me to stop in time,” said Williams. “I don’t think we should be down about it. It’s a little disappointing. But once we swallow that pill, we can celebrate the silver medal. What we’ve accomplished is inspiring.”

The American players celebrated with the basketball stars on the sidelines. This group included the men’s basketball players LeBron James, Bam Adebayo and Derrick White as well as the US basketball greats Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird and Dawn Staley.

Williams, who finished with 19 points, had hit a three-pointer a few seconds earlier to bring France within one point before Copper made free throws. She received a comforting hug from Staley.

“What a great basketball game. The more than 12,000 spectators who were here were treated to an incredible atmosphere and the level of athleticism and competitive spirit of these players,” said US coach Cheryl Reeve. “What better way to end the Olympic Games in Paris than to see this?”

“We are really happy, glad and have wasted a lot of words. It takes a lot of trust, so I’m just thrilled that we were able to win.”

The victory gave Diana Taurasi her sixth consecutive gold medal, making her the most decorated female basketball player in Olympic history, and she replaces her longtime teammate Sue Bird, who won the gold medal five times.

Taurasi, who did not compete in the gold medal match, was modest about the potential record and said the team’s victory was more important to her than her individual success.

It was a tough Olympics for her as she was not in the starting line-up in any of the knockout phase matches. It was the first time since the 2004 Olympics that she was not in the starting line-up.

Australia beats Belgium 85-81 in the bronze medal match the previous Sunday.

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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games