For a moment, it looked like the Team USA women’s team’s luck had run out. The quest for eight straight gold medals appeared shaky due to a combination of sloppy play, a true road game environment and a French team ready to avenge the loss of the men’s matchup a day prior.
Sunday’s gold-medal game against France was undoubtedly Team USA’s worst game of the 2024 Paris Olympics. They fell victim to the French’s pressure defense throughout the game.
And a team with the world’s best players looked like a shell of themselves for most of the game. But they dug deep and rode a second-half wave from star Kahleah Copper to turn things around en route to a 67-66 victory at Bercy Arena on Sunday.
The United States stayed on top of the basketball world, achieving its eighth straight gold medal and 61st consecutive win overall.
The low-scoring frenzy came down to Team France down three with 3.8 seconds remaining. Marine Johannes brought the ball up and found teammate Gabby Williams near the three-point line.
Williams immediately threw up a Hail Mary shot that went in, but she had taken a step past the three-point line. It was a two-point attempt. And the French team broke down in tears as the Americans celebrated knowing they scurried away with a win.
This is a developing story. Check back for more details.
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