The United States used a big third quarter to pull away and beat France, 86-67 in the semi-finals of the 2016 Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Thursday at the Carioca Arena.
Always a run away from breaking games wide open and taking control, USA opened the third quarter on a 9-2 run capped by a triple by Diana Taurasi and a basket by Brittney Griner to transform a 40-36 halftime lead to a double-digit 49-38 bubble.
That run paved the way for the Americans to outscore France 25-8 in the third quarter as they seized control, leading by as much as 25 before moving to a win away from their sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal in women's hoops.
Taurasi once again led USA with 18 points including 3-for-9 from three-point area, five rebounds, and four assists. Maya Moore added 15 points and seven boards. Sylvia Fowles had 12 points while Griner and Seimone Augustus each had 10 points.
USA had a 43-29 lead in rebounding, including 17-10 in offensive rebounds as the team scored 22 second chance points, twice the output of France. The squad also had 28 points off turnovers.
Geno Auriemma's troops will try to cap another impressive Olympic run on Saturday, August 20 against Spain where the USA will try to win its 49th straight Olympic game.
It shall also probably the final games for the veteran trio of Taurasi, Tamika Catchings, and Sue Bird, who are all trying to win a fourth gold medal to join the ranks of legends Lisa Leslie and Teresa Edwards.
All photos from FIBA.com
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