Diana Taurasi and the USA Women’s Basketball team ran away from Serbia for another huge victory in Olympics women’s basketball from Rio 2016
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USA Women’s Basketball hadn’t really been challenged in Olympics women’s basketball coming into Day 5 of Rio 2016 and their third matchup of the competition. The fact that they have Diana Taurasi and virtually the list of the best players in the world and the other nations do not certainly helps, but that didn’t stop Serbia from giving the Americans their toughest test yet in Group B and the competition.
While Team USA jumped out to a 10-point lead after the first quarter and seemed to be cruising, Serbia was still clawing and fighting as best they could for most of the first half. Midway through the second quarter, the United States were only up by nine points, 39-30. Of course, the US Women responded by finishing the first half on a 17-4 run, anchored by Diana Taurasi flat-out going off.
Diana Taurasi continued her dominance and shooting exhibition out of halftime as she hit a United States Olympic record six threes on the afternoon. Between Taurasi on the perimeter, Tina Charles dominating on the interior, and Breanna Stewart being an all-around threat off of the bench, Serbia couldn’t hang on after that. In the end, Team USA notched another big win, topping the Serbians by a score of 110-84 to move to 3-0.
Three Stars
Diana Taurasi, USA — 25 points, six assists, three rebounds, 6-10 from three
Tina Charles, USA — 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, one block
Breanna Stewart, USA — 17 points, five rebounds, one block, one steal
Next Games
Diana Taurasi and Team USA will look to remain perfect when they take on Canada on Friday, August 12.
As for Serbia, they’ll look to recover from this loss in their next game also on Friday against China.