U.S. Women’s Hoops Rout Japan 110-64 To Reach Olympic Semifinals

Diana Taurasi and the U.S. women’s basketball team overcame a slow start to eliminate yet another opponent at the Rio 2016 Olympics.

U.S. Women’s Hoops Rout Japan 110-64 To Reach Olympic Semifinals

The American women defeated Japan 110-64 on Tuesday night to boost their Olympic winning streak to 47 games, as they seek a sixth consecutive gold medal. The U.S. women’s team still hasn’t won a game by single digits since a four-point game against Russia in the 2004 Athens Games, and its last loss came in the Barcelona 1992 Games.

Tuesday’s victory came at a cost, however. Point guard Sue Bird didn’t play the second half after injuring her right knee in the second quarter. She told The Associated Press following the game that she felt a “pop.”

“Nothing really happened,” Bird said of the play. “I just felt the pop and anytime you feel that, it’s a little alarming. So going just to have to get it evaluated afterwards and see what’s up. Truth I really have nothing to tell you. It happened so fast like. Is it possible I stepped on her shoe or she stepped on mine? I don’t really remember but yeah it felt funny.”

U.S. coach Geno Auriemma said that they would evaluate the injury.

“I really don’t know. I said we’ll know” on Wednesday, Auriemma said. “There’s no way of knowing anything right now. I’m sure Sue’s bummed out about it as you can imagine. Let’s just wait and see.”

Entering the quarterfinals in Rio, every U.S. game thus far had virtually been over by the half. Not this time, however.

Japan shot several 3-pointers and pushed the pace, pressuring the Americans to trail just 56-46 at halftime. But the U.S. women, who won their five group games by an average of 40.8 points, delivered too much offensive power for the Japanese to handle, and passed the 100-point mark for the fifth time in six games, outscoring their opponents 54-18 in the second half.

“That is a really good team, they make you work,” Taurasi said. “They have a system of playing that I’m really familiar with. … We knew it would be a tough game. They put a lot of pressure on you and we felt it in the first half.”

Taurasi finished with 19 points, including a three-pointer during an 8-0 run to end the first half. Maya Moore also scored 19 points for the U.S.

The Americans will next play France, who defeated Canada 68-63 in their own quarterfinal match, in Thursday’s semifinal.

The Japanese women were clearly impressed by the U.S., as they posed for a team picture with their opponents after the rout. China also took a photo after their game against the Americans in pool play.

The Americans, ranked No. 1 in the world, struggled against the offensively aggressive Japanese in the first 20 minutes. Then, just as the U.S. appeared to be pulling ahead in the second quarter, opening up a double-digit lead, Japan answered with a 10-2 run.

Ramu Tokashiki — who plays for the WNBA’s Seattle Storm– shook off her defender for an easy backdoor layup that put Japan within 48-46 and capped the burst, leading several Japanese fans to stand up and cheer.

They would’t get much further, however. The Americans (6-0) scored the final eight points of the first half, with the last four coming from Seimone Augustus, which brought cheers from Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and several other members of the U.S. men’s basketball team who were in attendance.

Japan scored the first four points of the third, but Moore began a 10-0 run with five consecutive points. Brittney Griner’s layup capped the spurt and the U.S. cruised from there.

Tokashiki scored 14 points to lead Japan (3-3), which was playing its first Olympics since 2004. The three wins marked the most ever for the team in the Olympics, which the country will host in 2020 (in Tokyo).

Bird – one of three Team USA players attempting to win a record-tying fourth gold medal (with Taurasi and Tamika Catchings) – did not speak to reporters in the mixed zone afterward.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 16: Diana Taurasi #12 of United States drives past Yuka Mamiya #6 of Japan during the Women’s Quarterfinal match on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1 on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena