Paris Olympics basketball finals will be between the U.S and hosts France as the female team won its semi-final game on Friday alongside the male team.
The U.S team trounced Australia 85-64 while France needed overtime to edge out European champions 82-75.
Brenna Stewart led the US team with 16 points as they went on a 12-0 run at the start of the second quarter for a 32-16 lead and never looked back.
A 60th straight victory at the Olympics moved them within one of an eighth straight gold on Sunday which would be unprecedented in Olympic team sports.
Coach Cheryl Reeve said “I am super proud of the team and that the streak is not putting extra pressure on the team because the journey is unique to them. This is their first one together. We’ve had some repeat Olympians, but it’s a little bit more about a process for them. For them, it’s a little different. The coaches, you don’t want to be the one that’s not able to continue the streak, and so your mind can work on you a little bit.”
France meanwhile blew a six-point lead in the final minute of regulation as Belgium forced over-time from Emma Meeseman’s three-pointer for 66-66 with eight seconds left.
But Gabby Williams then scored five unanswered points at the start of over-time and finished with 18 points overall as the hosts denied the Belgians another comeback.
(dpa/NAN)
