USA Women Crush Canada 81-51

(photo credit: USA Basketball/Twitter)

The USA Women’s Basketball team has been dominant in the three games that they’ve played in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. In those three games, the USA women have been dominant offensively, as they’ve shattered records by scoring over 100 points in each of those games. Today when the USA took on Canada at the Youth Center in Rio, the USA didn’t rely on offense to continue its dominance, but rather, they used stifling defense to defeat Canada 81-51. The U.S. clinched Group B with the win, and they extended their winning streak at the Olympics to 45. 

For the first 20 minutes against Canada, the U.S. seemed out of sync on offense, as they committed silly turnovers while missing wide open shots. The United States’ northern neighbor didn’t seem to be intimidated by a team that’s on their way to winning a sixth straight gold medal, as they limited the Americans to just 18 points in the first quarter, which is the lowest point total that the U.S. have put up in any quarter during their time in Rio. In the second quarter, the Americans started to play stout defense, as they held Canada without a point for nearly the entire period. 

The United States only allowed four points in the second quarter, as they held the 36-22 advantage heading into halftime. Diana Taurasi, who was relatively quiet in the first half, helped the U.S. break the game open, after she hit two three pointers to start an 8-0 run which gave the Americans their first 20-point lead of the game. Taurasi has hit 18 three pointers in Rio, which breaks a record set by the team, who had 15 in the 2012 London Games. The Canadians could never get closer than 15, as the USA (4-0), defeated Canada (3-1) 81-51. 

Canada had already clinched a spot in the quarterfinals, but they were looking for revenge against the Americans after they lost by 40 to the U.S. in a game that was played before the Olympics. Maya Moore scored 12 points to lead the United States. Miranda Ayim scored eight points to lead Canada. The U.S. is coached by Geno Auriemma, who currently coaches at the University of Connecticut.

Some of the best players in UCONN history play for the U.S., but there is one player on Canada who currently goes to UCONN. Kia Nurse is entering her junior year at UCONN, and she struggled today, as she only had three points while missing eight of her nine shots. Canada will finish pool play against Spain on Sunday, while the United States will finish up group play against China on Sunday.