Griner started and had 10 points and two blocks by the half.
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That individual goal would be setting the shot block record.
“Real unselfish basketball”, Brittney Griner said in a television interview after the game. “Dunking is nice, but blocking shots helps us defensively and also can lead to offense”.
“Really? Well then I’ll just have to set it”, Griner said with a smile. “Especially in the first half we shot the lights out, we shot great”.
Two marks that are known, are the USA records.
The United States women also set a new single-game scoring record (121) in the game, beating their previous high of 114. When it ended, they had set three Olympic marks: Points scored in a game, margin of victory and assists. She also has the overall USA record of 36. That’s a big difference.
“When you think about it, it’s really cool to know that history it went that far back and we were able to break it today in our first game”, Stewart said.
RIO DE JANEIRO Rio visitors have been warned of the risk of muggings during the Olympics but Senegal still could not avoid a brutal beat down as the US women’s basketball team began their bid for a sixth consecutive gold with a 121-56 rout on Sunday. She finished with 15 points, hitting five 3-pointers, and Sylvia Fowles also had 15 points as the US won its 42nd consecutive game in the Olympics. The African nation lost all six of its games in 2000. Nigeria is the only African country to win an Olympic contest, getting a victory in 2004.
The Americans could face a little stiffer test Monday when they take on Spain. “Even though the Games have started and we are here and ready to go it is nearly like a practice. If you ask the players, they wouldn’t mind playing every day”.
The Americans have won 41 consecutive Olympic contests and five straight gold medals.
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The U.S. had played Senegal four times – all at the world championship – before Sunday.
