The five-time defending gold medalist US women’s basketball team opened play at the Rio Games with a 121-56 blowout of Senegal in record-setting fashion.
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The Americans smothered Senegal all game long, but were especially overpowering in the first half, holding them to just 21 points.
“Records at the end of the day are fun to look back on, but more than anything regardless of the score it s handsome basketball”, United States co-captain Sue Bird said. The contest was a rematch of the 2014 world championship gold medal game that the Americans won by 13 points. Fowles continued to pack the paint, finishing with 12 points, and Tina Charles caught a spark as well after playing just five minutes in the first half.
Well, maybe not for everyone.
The Brazilian fans tried to spur on the African country, cheering loudly every time they scored and booing the USA when the Americans had the ball.
“They (Senegal) played hard and competed hard, obviously they are undermanned talent-wise when it comes to playing against the US but you have to admire their effort”.
Also taking the court Monday will be the men of Group A, featuring the United States. They have to have a really, really bad game for us to have a chance to win it. I mean every single person.
Diana Taurasi made four three point shots within the first seven minutes of the game, which really set the tone for the team. And if we can elevate the play, if people strive to play that way, and we can elevate the play of the entire world, then what’s better than that for basketball? After beating China by 57 points Saturday evening, the Americans play Venezuela with tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m. Taurasi hit five 3s, and tied her own record for most 3 in a game. Brazilian fans booed the USA and cheered when Senegal scored, according to multiple reports.
Four-time Olympian Sue Bird does not remember who the leading scorer was on any Olympic team she has been apart of, but she does know she has three gold medals. “More than anything, regardless of the score, it’s lovely basketball”.
“We’re capable of winning gold”, Bird told reporters last week. I said, Look, if I know Im not ready and the knees swelling up, Im pulling the pin.
“We’re not easy to deal with obviously”, said USA coach Geno Auriemma. Griner put up 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. The win marked the largest margin of victory in US women’s basketball Olympic history. Stewart also had two on a nifty alley-oop layup from Bird.
Astou Ndour added 11 points and 12 rebounds for Spain.
“We’re going need them down the stretch, because all three are so versatile”, Taurasi said. “It didn’t look at all like there was any sign of nervousness, or tentativeness or deferring to the other players”.
They were very, very nervous obviously because my prognosis was six to eight weeks and this is right on six weeks right now, but I was open with them and honest, Bogut said. The ideal way for this to start.
“I don’t think we’re really disappointed”, said Senegal guard Aya Traore, who played at Purdue on the 2005-06 Sweet 16 team.
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The victory was the 43rd consecutive for the US women in the Olympics. We just pulled it through, played together, aggressive, got transition buckets.
