The result was as predictable as a tourist walking into one of the city’s notorious favelas flashing a fistful of hundred dollar bills with Senegal searching for their first Olympic win going up against the all-conquering USA, a true Olympic dynasty riding a 41-Games unbeaten run.
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“I think we came out and did exactly that”, Sylvia Fowles said in a television interview after the game.
The victory was the 43rd consecutive for the USA (2-0) in the Olympics.
The win comes after they thrashed Senegal 121-56, the largest victory margin set by the US at an Olympic Games, and the most points the team has ever scored in the tournament. They began the path to this impressive feat with a resounding 121-56 victory over Senegal on Sunday, August 7.
When it was all said and done, the USA women’s team broke records for the most points scored in a game, margin of victory and assists. Geno Auriemma’s superstar squadron notched their first win, and will continue tomorrow in their quest for a sixth-straight gold medal.
The game wasn’t expected to be close, and it wasn’t.
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. Brazilian fans booed the US and cheered when Senegal scored, according to multiple reports.
Fans watching Brazil struggle in a 0-0 draw against Iraq on Sunday heckled Neymar by chanting Marta’s name at the Mane Garrincha Stadium in Brasilia, wishing she help solve the many problems of the men’s team. The United States also broke their own record for most points in an Olympic game.
For the men, Kevin Durant scored 16 points and Carmelo Anthony 14 for the USA squad, which might have grown a touch overconfident following a 57-point blowout of China in its tournament opener.
The U.S. led 35-9 at the end of the first quarter and 64-21 at the half. The African side was outclassed from the very beginning in the Rio 2016 opener for both teams as they only managed nine points in the first quarter. The women’s performance came less than 24 hours after the men’s team opened with a 57-point rout of China.
The three first-timers are Stewart, Delle Donne and Griner. Griner started and had 10 points and two blocks by the half.
Griner missed out on the London Games citing family health issues and academics at the time. She only had two against Senegal. (A third-quarter lineup included Lindsay Whalen as well.) When Bird and Stewart joined forces on the court, a number of transition hoops, including a attractive alley-oop layup to Stewart, soon followed as if they were in Seattle.
Alba Torrens was one of the few bright spots for Spain, as she poured in 20 points in 25 minutes of play. Senegal lost all six of its games in 2000. Every player scored at least four points and seven women reached double figures. The Americans won all four by an average of almost 49 points.
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The U.S. plays again on Monday at 11 a.m. ET against Spain.
