Following a tight game between USA and Serbia yesterday, the American women gave fans some relief today by defeating Australia in a dominant performance from start to finish. With an 85-64 victory over the Opals, Team USA secured a spot in the gold medal game, showcasing their depth and dominance.
Coach Cheryl Reeve stuck with her revamped starting lineup including A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, Breanna Stewart, and Napheesa Collier, with Jackie Young replacing Diana Taurasi. This lineup displayed strength that Australia struggled to match.
Box Score Overview
A notable difference in the box scores was that three of USA’s starters scored in double digits, while none of Australia’s starters achieved the same. Stewart led the team with 16 points, Young with 14, and Wilson with 10. On the other hand, the highest scorers for Australia were Jade Melbourne and Alana Smith with 7 points each.
Wilson not only dominated the boards for Team USA, but also provided strong defensive play with 8 rebounds and 4 blocks. This forced Australia to rely on perimeter shots, which they struggled with, shooting only 24.1% from beyond the arc.
The bench players for Team USA also contributed significantly, allowing Reeve to rely on them for extended minutes. This was especially crucial as Team USA maintained a comfortable lead throughout the second half. Kahleah Copper led the bench in scoring with 11 points.
Another notable improvement for Team USA was their three-point shooting. After a subpar performance against Nigeria, they bounced back by shooting 41.2% from three-point range against Australia. This strategic adjustment was crucial in outmatching the sharp-shooters on the Australian team.
Youth and Experience Enhance Team USA
The combination of youth and experience in the Team USA lineup makes them a formidable force. With players like Young and Collier complementing Wilson and Stewart, opponents struggle to find a weakness in their game plan. The decision to start Young over Taurasi proved to be beneficial, providing a quick advantage in games.
Young’s chemistry with Gray and Wilson, developed from their time together in Las Vegas, allows her to seamlessly adapt to various game situations. This versatility, along with her consistent performance, justified Reeve’s choice to start her and she has now scored in double digits for three consecutive games.
Stewart and Wilson’s synergy on the court is evident as they support each other and create opportunities for one another. Despite competing against each other in the WNBA, they exhibit a seamless partnership that makes it challenging for opponents to contain them.
Napheesa Collier continues to adapt seamlessly to any role within the lineup, showcasing her versatility on both ends of the court. Her all-around performance against Australia exemplified how she impacts the game in multiple facets.
Pursuing an 8th Consecutive Gold Medal
Team USA will compete for the gold medal on Sunday, pending the outcome of the second semi-final match to determine their opponent. The finalists will be either France, the current hosts and bronze medalists from Tokyo, or Belgium, a team with notable WNBA talent.
While Team USA has a strong chance of winning against either opponent, they may prefer to face Belgium over France. France’s home advantage during the games has been influential, motivating their teams to succeed. The competition looks tougher than in Paris, with every team aiming to defeat Team USA.
Regardless of the opponent, Team USA is on track to secure their 10th gold medal, marking an impressive 8th consecutive gold in women’s basketball.
