USA Women Win Olympic Basketball Gold Again

In an edge-of-your-seat gold medal match, the USA women’s basketball team held off a fierce challenge from France, winning 67-66 at the Bercy Arena in Paris. The excitement in the packed arena was palpable as the two teams battled it out until the very last second on Sunday.

A’ja Wilson was the standout for the Americans, scoring an impressive 21 points. The tension rose dramatically when France’s Gabby Williams attempted a buzzer-beater that nearly stole the victory, but her foot was on the line, meaning her shot only counted as two points.

This win marked the United States’ tenth gold medal in women’s basketball, solidifying their spot as the dominant force in the sport, especially with this being their eighth consecutive gold. It also helped the USA finish at the top of the overall medals table at the Olympics.

The game started slowly, with France struggling to get their shots to fall and only scoring nine points in the first quarter. The USA, while better, only ended up six points ahead after ten minutes of play.

French player Marine Fauthoux wowed the crowd with a three-pointer from near midcourt, and by halftime, the score was all tied at 25-25. A 10-point run at the start of the third quarter gave France a brief lead, highlighting the back-and-forth nature of the match.

As the game hit the final minutes, the score remained close. Wilson helped the USA pull ahead, but France kept answering back. Williams made a clutch shot that brought the margin razor-thin at the end.

With mere seconds left, the Americans found themselves clinging to a fragile lead. Kahleah Copper hit free throws to give the USA a three-point cushion, but a last-minute shot from Williams nearly turned the game around, only to fall just short.

For many on the USA team, this victory was particularly special. After years of dominance, they had finally faced a serious challenge. Breanna Stewart remarked that every gold is special and difficult in its own way. The heartbreak on the French side was palpable, but Williams was graceful in defeat, recognizing the significance of their performance.

As the players celebrated, they were joined by basketball legends like LeBron James and Sue Bird, who cheered them on from the sidelines. The atmosphere was electric, and the sense of history being made was unmistakable.