The U.S. beat Spain 101-72 to take gold, staying undefeated in Olympic play for six straight tournaments.
The U.S. women’s basketball team won a sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal Saturday, trouncing Spain 101-72 in Rio.
The squad is one gold away from tying the U.S. men’s basketball team’s seven consecutive golds between 1936 and 1968.
Diana Taurasi and Lindsay Whalen led the way for the defending champions, each racking up 17 points Saturday. Taurasi was 6/10 from the field, sinking five of seven three point attempts.
“When you think of USA, you think of basketball,” Taurasi said in an interview after the final whistle. “We bleed basketball.”
Despite the loss, Spain’s silver is the country’s first medal in women’s basketball. Alba Torres led all shooters with 18 points in over 35 minutes of play.
Taurasi and the Americans played nearly flawless basketball in Rio, and were never challenged. Only one of those decided by single digits.
Closure to their journey Saturday had Taurasi and coach Geno Auriemma both fighting back tears.
Auriemma put his five former UConn Huskie players on the court at the same time for the first time in the Olympics and that group started the 16-3 run that blew the game open.
