Sixth consecutive Olympic gold for US women cagers

AFP, RIO DE JANEIRO: Staking its claim to rank among the greatest women’s basketball teams ever assembled, the United States captured a sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal and eighth in nine tries on Sunday.
An overwhelming 101-72 victory over Spain in the final stretched the US Olympic win streak to 49 games since a 1992 semi-final loss. 
The Americans improved to 89-1 over the past 20 years in global tournaments.
“I’m pretty sure we demonstrated we are one of the best teams ever,” US guard Sue Bird said.
Diana Taurasi and Lindsay Whalen led the US squad with 17 points each in the final while Maya Moore added 14.
“It’s pretty incredible,” Taurasi said. “We had a goal to win the gold medal but there’s something more to it than that.
“It’s not about one person, one coach — it’s about, ‘How can we make this the best basketball team ever?’”
US stars Taurasi, Bird and Tamika Catchings matched an Olympic basketball record with their fourth gold medals each, tying ex-US standouts Lisa Leslie and Teresa Edwards for most golds by a player, man or woman.
“Super special,” Moore said. “I feel so privileged to have those leaders ahead of me, to watch them, play alongside them, to just learn so that in the future when I’m in moments where leadership is needed, I can call on memories I’ve had with them.”
The only longer team Olympic gold-medal run than the US women’s six is that of the US men’s basketball team, which took the first seven Olympic titles.
“That’s unreal,” said US forward Angel McCoughtry.
Spain’s silver is the first Olympic women’s basketball medal secured by the Spaniards, whose best prior showing was fifth in 1992 and 2008.
“It’s historic for our country. For me, it’s a dream come true,” said Alba Torrens, who led Spain with 18 points. 
“This medal pays off so much work these past years.”
Serbia beat France 70-63 in the bronze medal game.

 

Sixth consecutive Olympic gold for US women cagers

AFP, RIO DE JANEIRO: Staking its claim to rank among the greatest womens basketball teams ever assembled, the United States captured a sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal and eighth in nine tries on Sunday. An overwhelming 101-72 victory over Spain in the final stretched the US Olympic win streak to 49 games since a 1992 semi-final loss. The Americans improved to 89-1 over the past 20 years in global tournaments. Im pretty sure we demonstrated we are one of the best teams ever, US guard Sue Bird said. Diana Taurasi and Lindsay Whalen led the US squad with 17 points each in the final while Maya Moore added 14. Its pretty incredible, Taurasi said. We had a goal to win the gold medal but theres something more to it than that. Its not about one person, one coach its about, How can we make this the best basketball team ever? US stars Taurasi, Bird and Tamika Catchings matched an Olympic basketball record with their fourth gold medals each, tying ex-US standouts Lisa Leslie and Teresa Edwards for most golds by a player, man or woman. Super special, Moore said. I feel so privileged to have those leaders ahead of me, to watch them, play alongside them, to just learn so that in the future when Im in moments where leadership is needed, I can call on memories Ive had with them. The only longer team Olympic gold-medal run than the US womens six is that of the US mens basketball team, which took the first seven Olympic titles. Thats unreal, said US forward Angel McCoughtry. Spains silver is the first Olympic womens basketball medal secured by the Spaniards, whose best prior showing was fifth in 1992 and 2008. Its historic for our country. For me, its a dream come true, said Alba Torrens, who led Spain with 18 points. This medal pays off so much work these past years. Serbia beat France 70-63 in the bronze medal game.