PARIS — Two-time WNBA champion A’ja Wilson scored 21 points as the United States survived an unexpectedly close contest from host France, winning 67-66 for their eighth straight Olympic gold medal in women’s basketball on Sunday.
The U.S. women last lost in Olympic play when they failed to bring home gold in 1992. The Americans brought a 60-game winning streak into Bercy Arena on Sunday.
So not surprisingly, the Americans were a 15.5-point favorite, even with a capacity audience filling up the gym with cries of “Allez les bleus.”
Despite this, the French made clear they were a formidable opponent, challenging the U.S. so fiercely that they nearly broke the women’s golden streak. The Americans struggled with ball control and committed 19 turnovers while going cold from beyond the arc, shooting just 17% on 3-point attempts.
A fourth-quarter push from Kahleah Cooper finally appeared to give the U.S. an edge, and a crucial jumper from Wilson gave the U.S. a narrow lead with just under two minutes remaining.
Yet the French, drawing enthusiasm from their hometown crowd, would not go away.
Even after Breanna Stewart blocked a desperate 3-point try from Marine Fauthoux and both Wilson and Kelsey Plum sank free throws, former Chicago Sky and Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams pulled off a clutch three, sending the French back into contention.
But after France drew a foul and Cooper made both free throws, a last-minute shot by Williams was not enough. Her foot was over the 3-point line, meaning the basket would not tie the game as the buzzer sounded.
Williams — who led her team with 19 points — was inconsolable after the heartbreaking loss as teammates helped her off the Bercy Arena floor.
Wilson, a six-time WNBA All-Star, proved herself as the U.S. team’s anchor and most versatile player, leading with a game-high 21 points and 13 rebounds.
“The dynasty we’ve built here at USA Basketball has been incredible,” Wilson said in a postgame interview. “We believed in each other, and that’s the greatest thing about it.”
WNBA veteran Diana Taurasi, who did not play in the final, has become the first athlete in Olympic history to win six gold medals in any team sport, surpassing former U.S. teammate Sue Bird.
For the first time in Olympic history, the gold medal games in both the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments were between the same nations. As they did in the men’s final on Saturday, host France put up a determined fight. Nevertheless, Team USA upheld its international dominance in basketball.
David K. Li reported from Paris and Susan Baek reported from New York.
