The U.S. women’s basketball team advanced to its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal game with an 85-64 victory over Australia on Friday, led by New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, who scored 16 points.
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.
“I think we’re just continuing to play unselfish basketball and making sure we move the ball and find the best shot,” Stewart told NBC Olympics’ Mike Tirico. “We’re really starting with our defense and scoring in transition as much as we can, knowing we have depth that no one else in this tournament has and making sure we get to where we wanted to go. Now we have one more game to get the gold medal.”
The Americans, who extended their Olympic winning streak to 60 consecutive games, will face either France or Belgium on Sunday.
The United States is aiming to become the first team to win eight gold medals in a row, breaking the 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.
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.
In addition to her 16 points, Stewart also had six rebounds and five assists.
“It’s absolutely incredible and I don’t think I can put into words what we’ve accomplished with USA Basketball, with this national team, 60 wins in a row,” Stewart said after the victory. “But that’s the standard. When I first put on the USA jersey, I knew it was either gold or bust. And we make sure that every time on the court and off the court, you know how we prepare, that we try to be the best we can be and reach new heights.”
