Diana Taurasi led another balanced effort for the Americans with 13 points in the 103-63 win. “I’m not privy to all the huddles out there, but I’m sure Stewie will tell you that when there is a huddle there is only one person talking and everybody is nodding their head”.
Advertisement
Diana Taurasi made four three point shots within the first seven minutes of the game, which really set the tone for the team.
Team USA begins its quest for an unbelievable sixth straight Olympic gold medal when it takes on Senegal in Group B, Round 1 action Sunday as part of the Rio Summer Olympic Games in Brazil. The 65-point win is also Team USA’s largest in history, breaking the record of 60 against Zaire in 1996.
The extent to which the depth of talent manifested itself as a strategic advantage can be gleaned from this stat: every USA Basketball player scored with the exception of starting point guard Sue Bird-in the first half.
“We’re not easy to deal with obviously”, said USA coach Geno Auriemma.
“It was a good start”, Taurasi said afterward. “I’ve been with her for a very long time now, and people who are close to me know that, and that’s that”. But there’s not much time and there’s not much that you can do to get ready.
“I hadn’t thought about that until you brought it up”, Bird said laughing.
Group A of the 2016 Rio Olympics women’s basketball competition got started in quite the exciting way on Saturday and the action stayed that way through Sunday. Almost two-thirds of their baskets were scored inside the paint.
Each player on the United States roster scored in this game, which is good news for future matchups.
“We played in Sao Paolo in the world championships and we played against Russia”, Bird said. “We have to keep doing that every game, every night”. The closest Senegal came in any quarter was the fourth, when the USA outscored it 27-18. Neither have confirmed that this will be their last time playing in the Olympics, but retirement does seem to be on the horizon for these players. Elena Delle Donne and Sylvia Fowles both added 12 points, while Brittney Griner and Angel McCoughtry had 10 points apiece.
Advertisement
The 121 points breaks Team USA’s own Olympic record of 114 points which it tset twice-in the 1992 games in Barcelona and 2012 in London. “We learned a lot of things today and hopefully, we’re going to take the things with us moving forward”. We have time off and guys did what they did.
