It speaks to the depth of talent and skill the USA has, talent such Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi, who led the US with 19 points apiece.
Advertisement
And, like the men, the USA women remain undefeated and are heavy favorites to win the gold medal after knocking off upstart Japan 110-64 on Tuesday night in the quarterfinals, holding the Japanese to 18 second-half points. The U.S. went into halftime up 56-46.
Japan trailed by as little as 46-44 near the end of the second quarter before the USA quashed any thoughts Japan of a monumental upset and swamped Japan in the second half, limiting them to just 18 points over the last two quarters for a 110-64 win.
Their opponent will be the victor of Tuesday night’s game between France and Canada, both of whom have never beaten the U.S.in Olympic play.
“I feel like we got to put this game out of our mind”, said forward Danielle Page, who played in college in the U.S.at Nebraska. “They played great against everybody in their pool, and those are the same teams that are going to be in Tokyo in 2020”. It’s reminiscent of how opponents reacted to the Dream Team at the 1992 Barcelona Games. The Aussies had been the only team to hold a halftime lead over the U.S.at the Olympics in the past 16 years when they led by four in the semifinal game in the 2012 London Games.
The U.S. led 30-23 after the first quarter but Japan refused to be shaken off and nearly drew level as the game approached halftime. Japan then went from cold to frozen in the fourth, shooting 2-for-21. They once again showcased their impressive attacks, strong blocking, and superb service.
The first quarter saw five lead changes before free throws from Moore, who had 12 points in the period, were followed by points from Tina Charles and Sylvia Fowles to put the U.S. ahead 23-16 with 3:18 remaining. She’s fearless. She didn’t care if she got her shot blocked by (center Brittney Griner) 10 times, she’s like ‘I’m coming back in there for No. 11.’ I love her.
US beach volleyball stunner: Brazil beat the Americans in the women’s beach volleyball semifinals and ended the gold medal run of three-time Olympic champion Kerri Walsh Jennings.
The results set-up two contrasting semi-finals with the USA taking on France in a rematch of the 2012 London Games final, while Spain face Serbia in a clash featuring two teams making their first Olympic final four appearance. “We just tried to do our best to stay with our game plan and be aggressive, and our defense really kick started our offense in the second half where we were able to get a lot of stops in a row and had stifling runs that we were trying to make”.
Rio de Janeiro – Team USA announced today they will be day to day with starting point guard Sue Bird, for the remainder of the Olympics after she hurt her knee yesterday in the team’s game against Japan.
The Aussies were considered to be the chief rival for the gold medal – they played the US closest in 2012, losing by 13 in the semis and settle for the bronze – but now will not medal.
But no one can change the fact that, male or female, the Japanese women’s team was the most fun team in the Olympics this year.
The USA women’s indoor volleyball team is on to the semifinals at the Rio Olympics after defeating Japan in three sets (25-16, 25-23, 25-22) on Tuesday.
Advertisement
Three-time gold medalist Sue Bird is listed day-to-day after suffering a knee injury in Tuesday’s quarterfinal game against Japan.
