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Kara Lawson blunt about Team USA's struggles vs. France in Women's Basketball gold medal game

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•08/11/24•

BarkleyTruax

NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Portland Regional-UConn vs Duke
Mar 30, 2024; Portland, OR, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Kara Lawson calls out a signal during the second half against the UConn Huskies in the semifinals of the Portland Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Tied with France at halftime of the women’s basketball gold medal game at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Team USA struggled to find a rhythm during the first 20 minutes of action.

U.S. assistant coach Kara Lawson, who is the head coach of Duke‘s women’s basketball team, 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.”

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

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, they 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.

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

Angel Reese reacts to USA women’s basketball beating France

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

Fans from across the basketball world tuned in for the nail-biting finish — including Chicago Sky star Angel Reese. After the game, rookie All-Star congratulated her fellow WNBA players for making history at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

“what a GAME,” she wrote.

Of course, Reese was a part of the Team WNBA group that defeated Team USA 117-109 during the 2024 WNBA All-Star game. After that game, Reese said that she has aspirations to play for Team USA in the Olympics in the future. However, a 2028 Olympic debut in Los Angeles for her remains to be seen.