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USA vs. Australia: USA beats Australia to advance to Olympic gold medal match in Paris

August 9, 2024
Talia Quinn

The U.S. women’s basketball team pulled off a stunning win over Australia in the semifinals. The win was the final step in the quest for an eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal, and the U.S. team took the challenge with open arms.

The U.S. played well on offense, with Brianna Stewart and Jackie Young leading the team with 16 and 14 points, respectively, while the team made 7-of-16 three-pointers and shot __% overall. But the U.S. defense was particularly strong, recording 10 steals and five blocked shots, scoring 19 points off those fouls. The U.S. also worked well at a faster pace, scoring 26 quick points.

So far, the US have had a good run of results in their matches, beating Japan, Belgium and Germany in the group stage. Australia also comfortably beat Serbia in their quarterfinal match on Wednesday, while the US beat Nigeria 88-74 on their way to the semifinals.

Team USA extended its winning streak to 59 games, dating back to 1992. Team USA will now face the winner of the France vs. Belgium game in the gold medal game on Sunday, while Team Australia will face the loser of that game for the bronze medal.

He lives20 updates

  • USA defeats Australia in a landslide victory by 21 points

    The United States won 85-64 to move into the gold medal race on Sunday. It was a dominant performance by the United States, who beat Australia in their quest for an eighth straight gold medal.

  • With just four minutes left in the game, Australia have managed to make up some lost ground as the score is now 78-56. It is unlikely that they will be able to come back in a good way, but there is no doubt that the Australian team still has some fighting ability.

    Christie Wallace hit a pair of free throws to extend Australia’s lead to 20 points, but Nafisa Collier made a shot from outside the box to make it 80-58.

  • Kahlia Cooper scored on a quick counterattack, and Australia called another timeout. The score was now 73-43, while the USA led 30-0.

  • Team USA 66, Australia 40 at the end of the third quarter

    The United States continues to extend its lead and is closing in on the win. Australia struggled on offense, but the United States did a great job on defense, staying largely clean on fouls. They also hit 6 of 12 three-pointers, a big improvement over some of their previous games at these Olympics.

  • Diana Taurasi comes on as a substitute and gets her first minutes in this match. Taurasi, 42, has competed in six Olympics and has hinted that this will be her last Games – but this one, if the result holds, will be in contention to win a sixth consecutive gold medal on Sunday.

  • Australia called a break as the USA continued their attack, taking a 58-36 lead with less than five minutes left in the third quarter. A’ja Wilson has 10 points and eight rebounds so far, putting in another strong performance for the USA.

    The US lead of 22 points is the largest yet, and things look pretty solid and stable at this point.

  • The second half is now underway, and Australia is taking a big lead. Alanna Smith opened the scoring with a three-pointer, and Izzy Magbigore blocked an attempt by Aja Wilson. But Jackie Young made two free throws to make it 47-30.

  • USA 45, Australia 27 in the first half

    Australia’s Tess Madgen finished the first half with a hat trick, but it was the USA who had the upper hand so far.

    The U.S. are now able to make 4 of 9 three-pointers, and are shooting at a 53% success rate. But it was the defense that really shined in this match for the U.S. team, as they managed seven steals and five blocked shots in the first half. The defense also benefited the team, as they scored 14 points off Australian fouls and scored 18 points on quick attacks.

    Brianna Stewart led the team with 11 points, while Jackie Young had 10. A’ja Wilson had four points and six rebounds, and was dominant on defense.

  • The US team started to do well now, as they took a big lead in the match, 40-21. The US team also showed great performance in defense and attack.

  • Australia calls a timeout as the USA builds a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter, and now leads 30-16 after three points from Sabrina Ionescu and Joel Lloyd.

  • Kahlia Cooper hit the first three-pointer for the United States of the game, giving it a boost to start the second quarter. Brittney Griner made a free throw to make it 24-16 for the United States.

  • The US team led Australia 20-16 in the first quarter.

    Brittney Griner made a layup to put the USA up 20-16. Izzy Magbigore’s attempt was off target, so that’s where the first quarter ends. Australia will look to get back into the game; the USA will have to hold off their attempts.

  • Australia took a slight lead, with some passing errors and some good shooting, and after closing the gap on the USA, the score was now 18-16, much closer than earlier in the quarter.

  • Brianna Stewart hits the first three-point attempt for the U.S., but misses. That doesn’t bode well for the U.S.’s three-point scoring problems…

  • So far, the U.S. has also been able to pull off some solid defensive attacks, blocking three shots and stealing three balls in just the first five minutes of the game. But the Americans have yet to attempt a three-pointer; three-pointers are something the team has struggled with throughout the Olympics.

  • A beautiful shot from Nafisa Collier makes it 12-4 and forces Australia to call a timeout, with just over six minutes remaining in the quarter.

  • The semi-final match has now begun, with Team USA facing Team Australia.

    The United States is playing the game strongly, while Australia is struggling a bit on the offensive side, as the United States took an early lead with a score of 10-4.

  • Australia’s starting lineup

    Australia will start their campaign with Sammy Whitcomb, Jade Milburn, Steph Talbot, Alana Smith and Izzy Magbigor.

  • USA starting lineup against Australia

    Team USA starts with Chelsea Gray, A’ja Wilson, Brianna Stewart, Jackie Young and Nafeesa Collier.

  • The United States team arrives at Percy Arena in preparation for their semi-final match against Australia.

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