The U.S. women's basketball team had to overcome its greatest challenge in 32 years before extending its unprecedented run to eight straight Olympic gold medals. Led by A'ja Wilson, the Americans Sunday came away with another victory at the Paris Games, maybe sweeter than any other during the streak.
Wilson scored 21 points and the U.S. survived a last-second shot by Gabby Williams that was just inside the 3-point line to hold off France for a 67-66 win.
No team had been able to push the Americans during this impressive streak of 61 consecutive wins. Only two of those victories had been by single digits before the game against France.
"It's amazing. It truly is a dynasty that we have built here at USAB has been incredible," Wilson said. "And I am so proud of the resilience that my team showed. We could have fumbled it many times, but we pulled through. To say I am a two-time gold medallist, I am so blessed."
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The eight straight gold medals broke a tie with the American men's program that won seven in a row from 1936-68. The women's victory came less than 24 hours after the U.S. men's team also beat France in the title game. This was the first time in Olympic history that both gold medal games featured the same two teams.
Unlike the men's game this one came down to the final minute and one last shot by France that was just inside the 3-point line.
The Americans were up 67-64 with 3.9 seconds left after Kahleah Copper hit two free throws. Marine Johannes brought the ball up the court to Williams and the former UConn standout caught the ball just inside the 3-point line and banked in over the outstretched arms of Breanna Stewart for the final margin.
There was a brief delay before the officials signaled that it was a two-point shot, which led to the beginning of a celebration and a lot of happy hugs for the Americans and left the French players standing in disbelief after falling just short.
"Gabby hit some great shots down the end, tough shots," Wilson said. "We understood what we had in our locker room and leaning on each other and talking to one another and believing that we believed in each other and that's the greatest thing about it."
The American players went celebrate with the celebrities sitting courtside that included men's basketball players LeBron James, Bam Adebayo, Derrick White, along with U.S. women's greats Lisa Leslie, Sue Bird and Dawn Staley.
Williams, who finished with 19 points, had hit a deep 3 a few seconds earlier to get France within one before Copper's free throws. She got a consoling hug from Staley.
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The victory gave Diana Taurasi a sixth consecutive gold medal, making her the most decorated basketball player in Olympic history, breaking a tie with longtime teammate Sue Bird, who won five.
Taurasi, who didn't play in the gold medal game, has been humble about the potential record, saying she cares more about the team winning then her individual success.
It's been a trying Olympics for her as she didn't start any of the knockout phase games, the first time she wasn't in the opening lineup since the 2004 Olympics.
Australia topsBelgium for bronze
Ezi Magbegor turned in the most efficient game in Olympic women's basketball history on Sunday, making sure Australia took home the bronze medal.
Magbegor scored 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while leading the Opals to an 85-81 victory over Belgium at the Paris Games. That gave her an efficiency rate of 45, topping the mark of 44 held by another Opals great, Penny Taylor. Magbegor also blocked three shots and had two steals in the big win.
Teammate Lauren Jackson, the 43-year-old centre playing in the Olympics for the first time since 2012, said Magbegor was simply incredible.
"She knew what she had to do, and she did and that was special to watch," Jackson said. "It was incredible to be a part of just. Yeah, she was just amazing. She's freaking amazing."
It's the Opals' first Olympic medal since taking bronze at the 2012 London Games. This is Australia's third bronze to go with the silvers won in 2000, 2004 and 2008.
Jackson picked up fifth Olympic medal, tying her with Sue Bird and Teresa Edwards for the second-most medals of all time, though Bird's are all gold. Edwards won four golds and a bronze. Jackson now has three silver medals and two bronze.
The Opals great said spending much of the tournament on the bench instead of the court will allow her to remember everything, compared to when she played heavy minutes at previous Olympics.
"I've been on the sidelines," Jackson said. "I've been supporting the girls, and I think that's, yeah, it has been one of my favourites absolutely."
Belgium had the ball down 81-78 when Steph Talbot blocked Anna Delaere's 3-pointer with 25 seconds left.
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Tess Madgen sealed the bronze by knocking down four free throws in the final 16 seconds as her teammates started jumping with excitement on the bench. As soon as the buzzer sounded, they huddled, leaping and celebrating.
Alanna Smith added 13 points and 12 rebounds for Australia, Sami Whitcomb had 14 and Madgen finished with 10. Smith talked a lot of trash to fellow WNBA players coming into the Paris Games, making this medal even more special.
"Oh, absolutely," Smith said. "I think going home empty-handed would have been devastating."
The Belgian Cats go home empty-handed from their second Olympics but with a bright future thanks to players like Emma Meesseman.
Julie Vanloo led the Cats with 26 points. Meesseman finished with 23, and Delaere had 15.
'We gave everything'
The Belgians, who placed seventh in the Tokyo Games, won the EuroBasket championship last year. They lost the chance to play for gold in an emotional overtime loss to host nation France in the semifinals.
"We gave everything," Delaere said. "It's just super sad that two times we were so close. I rather lose two times by 20 and knowing ... everything was so close."
That the Cats even made the medal round was amazing. Belgium opened the Paris Games with losses to Germany, then the U.S. in the next game. That left the Cats needing to rout Japan by at least 27 points in the final game of pool play to reach the elimination round.
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Australia leaves Paris still looking for that elusive gold. This bronze was hard-earned, with Australia needing to beat France in the final game of group play to advance. The Opals lost forward Bec Allen to a hamstring injury in their final warmup game before the Olympics.
Magbegor, who plays for the WNBA's Seattle Storm, and Smith, who plays for the Minnesota Lynx, helped Australia lead 20-19 at the end of the first quarter. The Opals led 37-36 at halftime off a 3 by Sami Whitcomb.
Belgium took a 61-60 lead into the fourth quarter, and Vanloo opened the fourth with a 3 for a 64-60 lead. Whitcomb's 3 with 7:52 to go put the Opals ahead 65-64, setting the tone as the teams matched big shot for shot in the final minutes fighting for bronze.
