Gold medalists team the United States pose for a group photo after the victory ceremony for the women's basketball at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)
PARIS, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Gabby Williams' beat-the-buzzer long shot was counted as two points and France failed to pull down one of the biggest victories in the Olympic basketball history, losing 67-66 to the United States in the women's basketball final at the Paris Olympics here on Sunday.
Trailing by 67-64 with three seconds left, Williams, who scored 19 points, made the basket on the top of the arc. The screen of the Bercy Arena flashed with "Three-pointer" and the whole stadium was in ecstasy until the referees confirmed it as a two-point shot.
This is the eighth time in a row the U.S. women's basketball team won the gold medal dating back to the Atlanta 1996, after their 61st consecutive victory at the Olympics.
Starting the second quarter on 17-9, the Americans failed to find their attacking power to let the hosts come back and even lead by 25-23. Napheesa Collier's layup tied it on 25-25 to avoid the first fall-back before the break in Paris for the U.S..
France had a dream opening in the second half with a 10-0 run for a 35-25 lead, the biggest margin in the match, but Collier's lay-up usurped their lead by 41-40 with 2:30 to go in the quarter.
A standing ovation of the packed Bercy Arena whistled the final quarter by 45-43 for the U.S., and the two teams exchanged baskets to tie six times all the way up to 55-55.
Leading 60-59 with 1:32 left, the U.S. picked up their defence to extend the gap to four points before Williams made the last shot.
Australia defeated Belgium 85-81 to win the bronze medal, the first Olympic medal since the London 2012 for the three-time silver medalists.
After a quite even 37-36 first half, Australia opened up the lead by 52-42 before Belgium used a 17-5 run to make it 59-57.
Leading by 61-60 to enter the fourth quarter, Belgium fell back again by 76-69 after Alanna Smith's three-point play with just over four minutes left.
It was a three-point game on 81-78 with almost one minute to go, but Belgium couldn't get closer after that until Julie Vanloo's beat-the-buzzer 3-pointer.
Ezi Magbegor had 30 points and 13 rebounds for Australia, while Vanloo and Emma Meesseman contributed 26 and 23 points respectively for Belgium. ■
A'ja Wilson (R) of the United States attempts a layup during the women's basketball gold medal match between the United States and France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
Marine Johannes (L) of France makes a penetration during the women's basketball gold medal match between the United States and France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
Napheesa Collier (R) of the United States makes a penetration during the women's basketball gold medal match between the United States and France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
Kahleah Copper (L) of the United States reacts after losing the women's basketball gold medal match between the United States and France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)
Team United States celebrate victory in the women's basketball gold medal match between the United States and France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)
Chelsea Gray (L) and Jackie Young of the United States celebrate after winning the women's basketball gold medal match between the United States and France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
Gabby Williams (C) of France reacts after losing the women's basketball gold medal match between the United States and France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)
Team France react after losing the women's basketball gold medal match between the United States and France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 11, 2024. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
