By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Breanna Stewart had 26 points and seven rebounds while A’ja Wilson scored 23 and grabbed 13 boards as Team USA beat Belgium 87 – 74 to advance to the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Stewart set the tone early with 13 points on 5-5 shots in the first quarter and USA proceeded to go up 46 – 38 at halftime. Belgium kept up but never managed to approach by a shooting distance until their opponents established a double-digit lead down the stretch.
Emma Meesseman stood out from Belgium with 25 points.
Thanks to this result, USA veteran guard Diana Taurasi became the first Olympic Games basketball athlete to reach 40 wins.
Earlier, Germany also booked a ticket to the quarterfinals from Group C teams after beating Japan 75 – 64. Satou Sabally was unstoppable from the winning side, finishing with 33 points and six rebounds.
Maki Takada paced Japan with 15 points.
In Group B, France became the first team to qualify for the Top 8. Les Bleus defeated Nigeria 75 – 54 behind 15 points plus five assists by Marine Johannes and 14 points, seven assists plus five rebounds courtesy of Gabby Williams.
Ezinne Kalu led all Nigeria scorers, putting up 18 points on 4-12 shots.
Sami Whitcomb put on a clinic of 19 points, 10 assists and five rebounds to lift Australia past Canada 70 – 65 for the Boomers’ first win. Bridget Carleton had 19 points and eight rebounds for the Canadian team, now 0 – 2.
Photo: FIBA Basketball