A'ja Wilson powers US past host France for 8th straight gold medal in Women's Basketball at 2024 Olympics

The United States defeated France 67-66 in the women’s basketball final in Paris on Sunday to win its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Team USA’s Olympic victory is the 61st in a row, they remain undefeated in Olympic play since 1992 thanks to a 21-point, 13-rebound performance by A’ja Wilson.

The United States came out in the first half sluggish. Leading 15-9 in the first quarter, the French team outscored the U.S. 16-10 in the second period to tie the game at 25 heading into halftime. During the break, four-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie said that she was “shocked” by the first-half turnout by Team USA.

No American scored more than six points during the first two quarters, and was led by Wilson’s six points and nine rebounds on 2 of 9 shooting at the time.

U.S. assistant coach Kara Lawson explained what went wrong for the heavy-favorited United States and how to fix it in the second half to secure the country’s eighth-straight gold medal in the event.

“We’ve turned the ball over too much,” Lawson said. “I think France has done a great job pressuring us. Ball security is really important. I think if we can get some of those possessions back here in the second half, we’ll put more points on the board.”

France stunned the United States out of the gates in the second half, leading by double-digits within three minutes of the third quarter. By the 2:30 mark, the Americans had retaken the lead (41-40) on a 16-5 run. By the end of the third quarter, Team USA led France 45-43.

France led Team USA 53-51 with just under five minutes remaining in regulation. They retook the lead off four-straight points from Kahleah Copper, and a bucket from Wilson that went off the top of the back boad and fell in pushed the U.S. lead to three. From there, the United States held on to win the gold against the host country France.

The win improves Team USA to 74-3 all-time in the Olympics, continuing their reputation as one of the most dominant teams in all of Olympic sports. The win for Team USA follows the men’s gold medal win from Saturday, where they also defeated France to capture a sixth-straight Olympic gold of their own.

Team USA’s win over France in women’s basketball was the final event of the Paris 2024 Olympics. The closing ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET inside the Stade de France.