TOKYO — As the U.S. women’s basketball team heads into the knockout round of the Olympics, at least they won’t be accused of having no competition this time.
If anything, the three games of group play have been unexpectedly difficult for Team USA, including Monday’s 93-82 win over France. In each of the three, the U.S. has been pushed deep into the fourth quarter before finding another gear late to put the game away.
Heading into the quarterfinals on Wednesday, Team USA’s situation seems very different from the 2016 Olympics when its closest game was 19 points. This time, it seems like the world is ready to challenge the Americans after six straight gold medals. Actually beating them, however, is likely to prove much tougher.
The U.S. women’s basketball team is once again in the middle of a tough fight as it tries to close out group play 3-0, leading France just 50-44 at halftime.
This has been a common theme at the Olympics so far, as Team USA was in a semi-close game late against Nigeria, didn’t put away Japan until the final couple minutes and is now getting challenged by France despite shooting 57% from the field in the first half.
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