USA women’s basketball start gold medal journey with win

Sue Bird (Photo by John Jones – Double G Media)

Rio De Janeiro, BRAZIL- The American women opened up their gold medal defense with a landslide win over Senegal, setting numerous records on the way to a 121-56 win.

The women broke their own Olympic scoring record en route to smashing Senegal. At no point was the game close, with the United States taking home a coast to coast victory. The 65 point margin of victory was also an Olympic record.

The beginning of the game saw Diana Taurasi knock down four three-pointers in the first seven minutes, and that marked how the game would go for Senegal. The Taurasi threes were part of a 16-2 opening run that distanced the United States more than they would even need. She would hit a fifth three later on, tying her own American Olympic record.

Everyone but Syosset, NY native Sue Bird finished with points, and Bird contributed greatly as a point guard, dishing out seven assists, and facilitating the offense throughout the game. New York Liberty star Tina Charles finished the game with ten points scored. Breanna Stewart of North Syracuse tied for the team-lead in points, finishing with 15 in her Olympic debut, after just winning her fourth national title at the University of Connecticut.

The United States are looking for their sixth gold medal, and their sixth consecutive. The United States held the previous Olympic record for points scored, when they put up 114 in Barcelona in 1992, a mark that they tied in London four years ago.

The women will then take on Spain, one of the other top-ranked teams in the draw, tomorrow, Monday morning. Despite Spain’s elevated status compared to Senegal, they still don’t compare anywhere near to the United States’ athleticism and speed, meaning another win shouldn’t be difficult.