Products You May Like
In the semifinals of the women’s 5×5 basketball tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games, Team USA had no problem taking out Australia, winning 85-64. France needed a push in the fourth, but they beat Belgium in overtime, 81-75.
Team USA and France will now face each other in the gold medal match on Sunday, Aug. 11 at 9:30 a.m. ET, while the bronze matchup will feature Belgium and Australia at 5:30 a.m. ET.
How Team USA beat Australia
The Americans went with Jackie Young in the starting lineup, just like they had in the quarterfinal contest. Young had another productive game, scoring 14 points during her 19 minutes of play and helping the United States win their 60th-straight Olympic game.
Team USA’s scoring was relatively even, with four different players in double figures. Breanna Stewart had another phenomenal performance, scoring 16 points and going 6-for-12 from the field. Kahleah Copper continues to be one of the more underrated players on the squad, leading the Americans in scoring off the bench with 11 points.
Australia had plenty of WNBA talent on its roster, but struggled to score points. Isobel Borlase led the Opals with 11 points, while Marianna Tolo and Tess Madgen scored 10 points each.
How France beat Belgium
In what was undoubtedly one of the best games of these Olympics, the host country, France, they just edged out Belgium in overtime. Gabby Williams led Les Bleues with 18 points, and Belgium’s Emma Meesseman scored a team-high 19 points.
The game was a back-and-forth affair down the stretch, with Belgium leading entering the closing quarter. France went on a 6-0 run to start the fourth to take the lead and control of the game. Belgium stayed within striking distance throughout the frame, and Meesseman hit the biggest 3-pointer of the tournament, tying the score with 11 seconds to go.
France had one more shot at ending the game in regulation, but after a missed 3-pointer by Valeriane Ayayi, we ended regulation even at 66. In overtime, Iliana Rupert made a clutch 3-pointer for France, and Williams brought the result home by converting on a layup and making her free throws to ice the game and secure the win.
Key takeaways
The gold medal game is set, and we have a great matchup between Team USA and France. Funny enough, the men’s matchup is the same as the women’s, so it will be amazing to see if the Americans can beat the French twice at home to earn the gold in both divisions.
No one has tested the American women just yet, so we’ll see if France can shock the world on Sunday and bring home the gold.