The team, featuring notable LGBT athletes like Angel McCoughtry and Britney Griner, won their first game in Rio against Senegal over the weekend 121-56, breaking the Olympic scoring record of 114 set by team U.S. back in 1992 in Barcelona and tied during the previous summer games in London. “They have to have a really, really bad game for us to have a chance to win it”.
Advertisement
United States guard Elena Delle Donne talks with head coach Geno Auriemma during the first half of a women’s basketball game against Spain at the Youth Center at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Monday, Aug. 8, 2016.
“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.
“When we move the ball like that and the ball doesn’t get stuck and the defense has to guard us at all five spots on the floor, that’s just a tough task for anybody”, USA coach Geno Auriemma said.
The victory was the 43rd consecutive for the USA (2-0) in the Olympics. This time they wouldn’t be drowned out.
The two countries have met nine times in Olympic and world championship competition, Team USA winning all nine including their three previous Summer Games encounters by a whopping average of 35 points.
The U.S. was nowhere as crisp as it was in the opening rout of Senegal, and Spain had a lot to do with that.
The win over Spain highlighted the USA’s remarkably deep roster – their bench players scored 55 points while Spain’s reserves managed just 16. I know the score is, it is what it is. Griner had 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Delle Donne added 11. “Physically, they play in another rhythm, another speed”. But they were still impressive.
Alba Torrens was the leading scorer for Spain with 20 points. The flawless way for this to start. The African nation lost all six of its games in 2000. So playing against the USA, who’s been here every Olympics and world champions and last Olympic gold medalists, what can you expect more? For us, we’re just happy to be here.
Advertisement
Although the United States of America are one of the most dominant teams in all of sports, they still maintain a relatively close relationship with their fans, many of whom have followed the current generation of players since they were in college.
