A’Jay Wilson #9 of the United States shoots between France’s Valerie Ayai (L) and Janelle Salan during the women’s gold medal match Sunday at the Paris Olympics.
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PARIS — It’s not great basketball. But it doesn’t have to be. That alone was enough.
A’Ja Wilson scored 21 points and the U.S. women’s team defeated France 67-66 on Sunday to become the first basketball team in Olympic history to win eight straight gold medals. The United States has now won 61 consecutive games at the Summer Games since 1992.
The win didn’t come as easily as this team usually does, with the Americans tested repeatedly by a determined French team and a large pro-French crowd at the Percy Arena. They were treated to a heart-stopping moment when France star Gabby Williams sank a long jumper at the buzzer. But the shot was ruled two points, not three, giving the US a one-point victory.
“It was a little ugly. But it’s good, whatever the ugly, we want to come out on top, and we did it, and we’re going home with this gold,” Breana Stewart told reporters afterward.
Kahlia Copper #7 of Team United States drives for a basket during the women’s gold medal match between France and the United States on Sunday.
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The first half of the game was incredibly inconsistent, with the US unable to find any attacking rhythm against a very physical French defence. France took a 25-23 lead shortly after.
When play resumed, the U.S. did not score for more than three minutes after the end of the leg. At one point they trailed by ten points.
“We were tough to hit our mark to play, transition and score,” USA Women’s Basketball coach Cheryl Reeve said. “We were the two best defensive teams in the tournament and we both showed it. It was ugly, but it was ugly for a reason. We both made each other hard.
Guard Jackie Young, a key scorer for the US in the quarterfinals and semifinals, missed the fourth quarter. But not before America rallied with key three-pointers and free throws by Kelsey Plum.
It was France’s first appearance in Olympic gold medal basketball since the 2012 Games in London, when the United States beat France by 36 points. With Sunday’s loss, France won the silver medal and Australia won the bronze medal after beating Belgium in the third-place match.
France’s Marine Fathoux reacts after a three-point basket during the women’s gold medal basketball game between the United States and host France.
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Brittney Griner, competing internationally for the first time since being released in a prisoner swap with Russia 20 months ago, said her emotions were “all over the place” after winning and during the medal ceremony following the Games.
“I was on stage and the flag went up and tears started coming down my face as soon as the anthem started,” Griner said. “As I said earlier I never thought I would be here and then be here and win gold for my country, my country I represent when I fought so hard to even stand here. This gold medal will take a special place among the other two.
It was a big basketball weekend for the USA, as both the men’s and women’s basketball teams took on host France for the gold medals.
A day earlier, the U.S. men’s team defeated France 98-87 to win its fifth straight Olympic gold. The men’s team won gold at the Paris Games with a score of 6-0.
