The win that extended Team USA’s streak to 60 games was all but decided by halftime.
They had an 18-point lead against Australia.
Breanna Stewart, facing the team led by Liberty head coach Sandy Brondello, already had 11 points, and Jackie Young — who replaced Diana Taurasi in the starting lineup before their quarterfinal win earlier this week — already had 10.
And when the final 20 minutes settled into place, ending the first women’s basketball semifinal of the 2024 Olympics with a 85-64 Team USA victory, this was all more of the same.
Team USA still hasn’t lost in the Olympics since Barcelona in 1992 and their quest for an eighth consecutive gold medal continued — where the collection of WNBA stars will face the winner of France and Belgium on Sunday.
have a chance to win another gold medal with Team USA on
Sunday in the Olympics. NBAE via Getty Images
After the first quarter, Team USA only led by four, but they outscored Australia by 14 in the second frame — sparked by a 12-0 run to open it, with Kahleah Copper, Sabrina Ionescu and Jewell Loyd all hitting 3-pointers — and entered the break with a commanding lead.
That advantage quickly swelled past 20 early in the third.
The depth of the Team USA lineup was on display again, with 11 players scoring, and it has positioned them for another shot at a gold medal, another chance to keep the winning streak going, another chance for the dynasty — perhaps the most prolific one in the Olympics — to live on for another four years.