PARIS — The U.S. women’s basketball team had to overcome its greatest challenge in 32 years before it could extend its unprecedented eight consecutive Olympic gold medals. Led by A’ja Wilson, the Americans on Sunday claimed another victory at the Paris Games that was perhaps sweeter than any other during the streak.
Wilson scored 21 points and the US survived a last-second shot from Gabby Williams that went just inside the 3-point line to hold off France and win 67-66.
No team had been able to push the Americans during this impressive run of 61 consecutive victories. Only two of those victories were by single digits before the game against France.
“It’s amazing. 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 blown it a lot of times, but we pulled it through. When I say I’m a two-time gold medalist, I’m so blessed.”
The eight straight gold medals broke a tie with the U.S. men’s program, which won seven in a row from 1936-68. The women’s victory came less than 24 hours after the U.S. men’s team also defeated France in the final. This was the first time in Olympic history that both gold medal matches were played by the same two teams.
Unlike the men’s match, this game came down to the final minute and a final shot from France, which went just inside the three-point line.
The Americans led 67-64 with 3.9 seconds left after Kahleah Copper made two free throws. Marine Johannes passed the ball to Williams and the former UConn star caught the ball just inside the 3-point line and hit it over the outstretched arms of Breanna Stewart for the final margin.
It took a while for the officials to indicate that it was a two-pointer. After that there was cheering and lots of hugs for the Americans. The French players couldn’t believe it, because they had just scored too little.
“Gabby hit some great shots at the end, tough shots,” Wilson said. “We understood what we had in our locker room and leaned on each other and talked to each other and believed in each other and that’s the best part.”
The US players celebrated with celebrities sitting along the sidelines, including men’s basketball players LeBron James, Bam Adebayo, Derrick White and US women’s legends Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird and Dawn Staley.
Williams, who finished with 19 points, had hit a deep 3 seconds earlier to pull France within one before Copper’s free throws. She got a comforting hug from Staley.
The victory gave Diana Taurasi a sixth consecutive gold medal, making her the most decorated basketball player in Olympic history, breaking a tie with teammate Sue Bird, who won five.
Taurasi, who did not compete for the gold medal, is modest about the potential record, saying she values the team win more than her own success.
It was a tough Olympics for her, as she did not start any of the knockout stage matches. It was the first time since the 2004 Olympics that she was not in the opening line-up.
Australia defeated Belgium 85-81 in the bronze medal match earlier on Sunday.
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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games