France put defending champions USA under pressure until the last second, but lost the final in the packed Bercy Arena in Paris.
France held out against the USA in a thrilling match for the gold medal in women’s basketball until the last second, but lost 67-66 by just one point in the packed Bercy Arena in Paris.
Until the final whistle sounded on Sunday in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, the match between hosts France and defending champions USA was back and forth.
The USA’s 10th gold medal in women’s basketball crowned the Paris Olympics and secured the country first place in the medal table ahead of its rival China.
A’ja Wilson scored 21 points for the Americans, the highest score of the game, after surviving a last-second shot by Frenchwoman Gabby Williams.
The hosts needed a three-pointer to force overtime, but Williams’ foot was on the three-point line when she released the ball, so her shot only counted for two points in a dramatic finale.
The greatest dynasty of all time
The 🇺🇸 #USABWNT wins Olympic gold for the eighth time in a row. pic.twitter.com/3BZGcBgN48
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) 11 August 2024
The Americans received support from LeBron James, who sat courtside with his gold medal, along with his teammates Bam Adebayo and Derrick White.
In a low-scoring first quarter, the accurate France only managed nine points, while the USA fared only slightly better and were already leading by six points after ten minutes.
Williams narrowed the gap to one point with a three-pointer early in the second half before a layup by Valeriane Ayayi tied the game at 20-20.
Marine Fauthoux made a three-pointer from the center line as the shot clock expired, setting off a cheer from the crowd, but Napheesa Collier’s putback ensured the teams went into the break tied at 25-25.
France went on a 10-point run to start the third period, with Fauthoux and Ayayi each scoring three points.
The USA fought back and went into the final quarter with a 45-43 lead, with Kelsey Plum making two three-pointers – one of them after Marine Johannes took a heavy hit from Wilson that went unpunished, much to France’s fury.
After a difficult first half, Wilson found his offensive rhythm, but France always had an answer and took the lead again with a layup by Marieme Badiane, making it 51-49.
The USA took the lead again, Wilson rebounded beautifully off the backboard and Plum sank two free throws, giving them a three-point lead with two minutes to go.
Williams’ jumper earned a point before Kahleah Copper drove to the basket and kept the USA in the lead.
France got the ball back with about 45 seconds left due to a stepping foul on Wilson, but Fauthoux’s desperation three-pointer missed the target by a wide margin under pressure from Breanna Stewart.
Wilson then made a free throw to extend the lead to four, and Plum seemed to have the win secured with two free throws, but Williams kept France in the game with a decisive three-pointer.
Copper kept his nerve and sank two more free throws for the USA, increasing the USA lead to three points.
They needed every point because when the siren sounded, Williams almost made a miraculous save that narrowly missed him.
By winning the last available medal, the USA finished with 40 gold medals and 125 total medals, ahead of China with 40 gold medals and 91 total medals.
The same result occurred on Saturday in the men’s gold medal match: The USA All-Star team beat France 98:87.
