PARIS – Breanna Stewart scored 16 points and the U.S. women reached their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal game with an 85-64 victory over Australia on Friday.
The Americans, who have extended their Olympic winning streak to 60 straight games, will face either France or Belgium on Sunday. The U.S. is looking to become the first team to win eight gold medals in a row and break a tie with the American men’s team, which won seven gold medals in a row from 1936 to 1968.
A win on Sunday would give Diana Taurasi a record six gold medals. One game after not starting for the first time since the 2004 Olympics, the United States’ most decorated Olympic basketball player entered the game with 2:08 left in the third quarter when the U.S. led 63-40.
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 half with a 12-0 run. At halftime, the USA led 45-27.
Things didn’t go any better for the Australians in the second half, as they were never able to match the Americans.
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.
