When the U.S. and Belgium ladies’s basketball groups final confronted off — in an Olympic qualifying recreation in February — it got here right down to the ultimate possession. Breanna Stewart tipped it in to win the sport for the U.S., securing a 81-79 win.
This time, it wasn’t almost as shut — whereas Belgium reduce the deficit to 5 within the second half, the U.S. successfully responded to each run, finally coming away with an 87-74 win in Lille, France.
The win marked the U.S. ladies’s basketball program’s 57th straight Olympic video games victory, an unequalled streak.
Right here’s what stood out from USA Basketball’s second win of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson as soon as once more shaped a formidable frontcourt
Final time the U.S. and Belgium’s groups confronted off, Stewart hit the game-winner. However, she in any other case struggled in that one, scoring simply 8 factors on 3-9 taking pictures.
That was not the case this time round. Stewart, a two-time MVP and two-time Finals MVP, hit her first six pictures of the night time and completed with 26 factors on 8-14 taking pictures, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and three blocks.
A’ja Wilson was equally dominant, scoring 23 factors on 9-17 taking pictures, to go together with 13 rebounds (5 offensive) and three steals.
For the second consecutive recreation, Olympic opponents had no reply for the Workforce USA entrance court docket, a duo that’s collectively received 4 MVPs and 4 championships.
“We need to management the factors within the paint,” Stewart stated in her walk-off interview with NBC. “We all know that now we have that dimension benefit — ensuring we get a number of possessions, they usually get one.”
Alyssa Thomas offered a vital set off the bench within the first half
9 years into her skilled profession, Alyssa Thomas is making her first Olympic look — and she or he’s making up for misplaced time. Thomas was a power on this one, ending with 8 factors, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal, and a block in 16 minutes.
When she was first named to the staff, Thomas mirrored on how this system’s dedication to protection finally compelled her to hitch.
“I don’t suppose USA actually — up to now — was match for the fashion of play that I had, simply watching the kind of gamers that had performed,” Thomas stated in June, quickly after being named to the staff . “And I additionally didn’t suppose it was my flip but. There’s so many gamers that don’t make the staff who’re higher forward of you in that place. So, I’m 32 and I’m getting my first probability at it. Plenty of it’s simply being affected person and ready in your alternative.”
Within the first half, Thomas was a serious cause why the U.S. was in a position to pull forward. The sport was tied at finish of the primary quarter, however Thomas offered a lift on each ends of the ground within the second quarter.
“You’ve got felt Alyssa Thomas’s impression on this recreation for the reason that second she stepped on the court docket,” stated LaChina Robinson, considered one of recreation’s NBC commentators. “Her physicality, the extent of aggressiveness, and the truth that she will do a number of issues — her versatility defensively and offensively is so nice.”
Ultimately, Thomas’s power was considered one of many components Belgium had no reply for.
Emma Meesseman reminded the world she’s a WNBA Finals MVP
Belgium’s Emma Meesseman might be the very best basketball participant within the Olympics not on Workforce USA, and she or he confirmed that on this one. Meesseman led Belgium with 24 factors on 11-19 taking pictures, and was the first cause Belgium was within the recreation in any respect.
Teammate Antonia Delaere added 16 factors, and shot 4-7 from three. Mystics rookie Julie Vanloo, the one lively WNBA participant on Belgium’s roster, added 11 factors, however shot simply 5-15 from the sector.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t sufficient to counter the U.S., as seven American gamers scored no less than 6 factors, together with Jewell Loyd (8 factors), Sabrina Ionescu (6 factors), Napheesa Collier (7 factors), and Brittney Griner (7 factors). Workforce USA continued their excellent ball distribution, allotting 25 assists on 29 discipline targets. In addition they out-rebounded Belgium 49 to 27.
Subsequent Up
The win places the U.S. in first place in Pool C, securing a spot within the quarterfinals.
1. United States (2-0)
2. Germany (2-0)
3. Belgium (0-2)
4. Japan (0-2)
With the win, the U.S. improved to 2-0 in Olympic play. Subsequent up, they’ll face Germany, on Sunday at 11:15 a.m. When the 2 international locations confronted off in exhibition play final week, it was a blowout — the U.S. received 84-57. However, Germany’s crushed each Belgium and Japan by double figures, and has additionally secured a spot within the quarterfinals. Saturday’s recreation will mark the final pool play recreation earlier than single-elimination motion begins.
