PARIS– Breanna Stewart and the U.S. women’s basketball team effortlessly headed toward a familiar goal – the Olympic gold medal game.

Stewart led a balanced offense as the Americans defeated Australia 85-64 in the semifinals on Friday, extending their Olympic winning streak to 60 straight games since the 1992 Barcelona Games.

“The show is crazy. I mean, they just told me when I was on TV that it started like before I was born, which is crazy,” Stewart said. “It just showcases those who really paved the way and made USA Basketball what it is today. I deserve a lot of credit for that and I know that when you’re representing that jersey and you’re wearing USA on your chest, the bar is high and there’s really nothing higher.”

And the team did not disappoint some notable spectators, including Sue Bird, Dawn Staley, Kevin Durant and Vanessa Bryant and their children.

After a businesslike semifinal victory in which the U.S. started strong and never let up, the Americans will now face France for the title. The U.S. is looking to become the first team – in any sport – to win eight consecutive Olympic gold medals, breaking a tie with the U.S. men’s team, which won seven in a row from 1936 to 1968.

The USA was able to take control of the game in the first half, which gave coach Cheryl Reeve the opportunity to limit the use of her starters and give more playing time to the players on the bench, keeping everyone fresh and mentally prepared for the gold medal game.

“The group that will be out there will be a little better prepared and more rested to be able to give everything they have,” Reeve said.

A win on Sunday would be Diana Taurasi’s record sixth gold medal. One game after not starting for the first time since the 2004 Olympics, the USA’s most decorated Olympic basketball player entered the game with 2:08 left in the third quarter when the USA was leading 63-40. She missed both of her shots and played just over 6 minutes.

The USA took an early lead, but only trailed 20-16 after the first quarter. The Americans decided the game in the second quarter, starting the period with a 12-0 run. At halftime, the USA led 45-27.

Jackie Young contributed 14 points, Kahleah Copper 11 and A’ja Wilson 10 for the Americans.

Isobel Borlase led Australia with 11 and Tess Madgen and Ezi Magbegor had 10 each.

There was no shortage of WNBA players on the court.

But while the American team features 12 WNBA All-Stars who have won multiple MVP titles, Australia’s roster is full of players who complement the league. The Opals, who started with five current WNBA players, simply didn’t have enough offensive power to keep up with the American dominance.

In the end, the USA once again denied the Australians a chance at a gold medal in a one-sided affair between the teams. The Opals have never beaten the USA in Olympic competition, losing in the gold medal match in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

“We had to play a perfect game today. I always say you have to believe you can beat the USA,” said Australia coach Sandy Brondello. “But nine times out of 10 there’s a game where you can maybe beat them on a bad day. And that wasn’t our best day here.”

The Australians also lost to the USA in the semifinals at the 1996 and 2012 Olympic Games.

“America is the best for a reason, you know?” says Australian Lauren Jackson, who played in five of those losses. “They’re full of superstars and I mean, if you look at the names on every single jersey, there’s a reason they’re the best players in the world. They’re incredible.”

Jackson played 5 minutes after sitting out the last two games and did not score a goal. Jackson, 43, has not contributed much in these Olympics, but the fact that she is still playing is nothing short of a miracle after injuries forced her to retire in 2016.

Jackson returned for the Opals at the 2022 World Championships, helping the team to bronze there, and now she’s hoping the team can add another win on Sunday to win a medal – something the Australians have done at all four other Olympic Games she’s competed in.

The US will look for more gold.

“I’m so proud of us,” Reeve said. “You know, the development we’ve made as a team. And I’m thrilled that we made it to the final battle in this campaign. (Now) let’s see if we can get gold.”

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