By Stephen Ur –
The USA women’s basketball team played against Japan in the first game of their group stage at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in northern France on Monday. The US women were looking to win their eighth consecutive gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The US led by as much as 10 with 2:28 remaining in the first quarter before Japan closed it to a four-point game following a 6-0 run. The US pulled away again and led 22-15 after one.
Just as it had been in the first quarter, the US built a 10-point lead in the second quarter before Japan closed the deficit in half with another run. The US would once more break away toward the end of the half and led 50-39 at halftime.
After outscoring Japan in the first two quarters, the US outscored them in the last two quarters, as well en route to a 102-76 win. Aja Wilson finished with a team-high 24 points with Breanna Stewart right behind her with 22. Sabrina Ionescu, Britney Griner and Kelsey Plum all finished with 11.
The next game for the US women will be Thursday when they take on Belgium. Tip-off for that game is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.