Team USA defeats Belgium 87-74 in the Paris 2024 Women’s Basketball Tournament, led by stellar performances from Breanna Stewart and A’ja Wilson. Discover key highlights and strategic insights from the game.
Introduction:
In this handball event, Team USA just pulled off an 87-74 win over Belgium in the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Indeed, the high level of athleticism and strategic acumen characterized this group C encounter at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Lille on August 1st, explaining why the USA continued to be a force in women’s basketball.
Notable Performances
Breanna Stewart Aided: Breanna Stewart scored an all-around 26 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks for Team USA. It is evidence of the way she found a way to blend in with Jewell Loyd and Sabrina Ionescu in the face of very little time playing together, which has made her quite versatile and able to take leadership on the court.
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A’ja Wilson’s Dominance
A’ja Wilson was really good, with 23 points and 13 rebounds, notching her second double-double in as many Olympic games. She controlled the low block, which was a huge factor in Team USA dominating the rebounding battle and allowed them to set up a pace. This is exactly what has kept Team USA so hot in this tournament: being able to do so almost nightly.
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Sabrina Ionescu’s Clutch Play
She sealed the game with a final three-pointer, then confidently told the largely Belgian crowd, “shhhh.” This performance highlighted her importance to Team USA’s success. Her clutch shooting and ability to perform under pressure underscored her critical role in the team’s triumph. Ionescu’s leadership and skill on the court make her an invaluable asset, demonstrating why she is considered one of the key players in this Olympic campaign.
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Statistical Breakdown
Rebounding and Points in the Paint
Team USA outrebounded Belgium, 48-28, and that advantage on the boards translated into a decided edge in points in the paint, 42-28, and second-chance points, 13-9. This truly made all the difference in winning the game.
Belgian Efforts
Belgium showed more resilience and were generally better than in the opening game against Germany. Emma Meesseman top scored for Belgium with 24 points, Julie Vanloo added 11 while Antonia Delaere went for 16. Delaere nailed four three-pointers that kept Belgium in the running but didn’t do enough to secure victory.
USA Game Plan
“We wanted to control the points in the paint. We know that we had a size advantage, making sure we get multiple possessions and they get one,” Breanna Stewart told NBC during her post-game interview. This strategic approach, with a strong outlook on the roster’s physical advantages and ensuring extra possessions, worked perfectly.
Belgium’s Challenges
Belgium couldn’t sustain the pressure on defense and on the boards against a much more physical USA team. However, their second-half shooting does raise some hopes for their future games if they actually improve their defense and rebounding.
Takeaways for Group C
USA and Germany advance
The win sent the U.S. into the quarterfinals along with Germany, after their earlier-in-the-day win over Japan. Both teams will face off against each other in the final game of Group C, foreshadowing an exciting test ahead for the upcoming knockout stages.
Belgium’s Path Forward
Now 0-2 in Group C, if Belgium wants to make it through to the quarterfinals as one of the two best third-place teams, it will not only need to win its next game against Japan but also hope for a favorable score differential.
Conclusion: Team USA Defeats Belgium
Team USA put on full display their strategic domination of basketball, followed by their team and individual brilliance in the win over Belgium at the Paris 2024 Women’s Basketball Tournament. The USA is set to storm the championship on a high note since some key players, including Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, and Sabrina Ionescu, performed at top class. While preparing to face Germany in the upcoming match, what everyone will be looking out for will be how the team grows and changes strategies moving into the knockout stages.