In their second consecutive win, Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson led USA Women’s Basketball to an 87-74 victory over Belgium, clinching a berth in the quarterfinals. Stewart, scoring 26 points with seven rebounds and four assists, and Wilson, contributing 23 points and 13 rebounds, have each scored over 20 points in back-to-back games.
Wilson’s 13 rebounds, including five offensive boards, were a game-high, as the US dominated the glass with a 48-28 rebounding advantage. Stewart set the tone early, scoring 11 points in the first quarter on perfect shooting. She also sealed the game late in the fourth quarter with two consecutive layups, giving the USA their largest lead at 14 points.
“We want to control the points in the paint. We know we have the size advantage … I was able to get downhill a lot,” said Stewart. “Really making sure that I start out aggressive and set the tone for the team.”
Despite Belgium’s challenge, the Americans extended their Olympic winning streak to 57 games. Belgium, which narrowly lost to the USA in an Olympic qualifier last February, kept the game competitive from start to finish.
The USA’s next game will be a decisive matchup against Germany on Sunday, determining the winner of Group C. Both teams currently hold a 2-0 record in the Group Phase.
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