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In their what is most likely their final Olympics, Tamika Catchings, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi all wanted to leave Rio with a fourth gold medal wrapped around their necks. Mission accomplished!
Behind 17 points each from Diana Taurasi and Lindsay Whalen, Team USA beat Spain 101-72 to win their sixth straight Olympic gold medal. The last time the United States didn't win a gold medal was the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona where they took bronze. To put things into a bigger perspective, the last time Team USA lost, current team member Breanna Stewart wasn't born yet.
The Spanish didn't make this one easy though for Team USA despite the 29-point final margin.
The United States jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead before Spain rallied. Laia Palau would give Spain their first lead at 8-7 on a three-pointer. The two teams would exchange baskets with no team getting out to more than a two-point lead. Alba Torrens gave Spain a three point lead at 17-14 after a three-pointer. But, the United States closed out the 1st quarter on a 7-0 run to end the first quarter with a 21-17 lead.
Sue Bird made it a 10-0 run with a three-pointer to start the 2nd quarter before a Marta Xargay layup and Torrens jumper would cut the USA lead to three points, 24-21. UConn Team USA would seize control of the game thanks to a 16-3 run in which all 16 points were scored by the five former Huskies on the team.
As they have done in previous games, the United States clamped down on defense in the third quarter, allowing just six field goals to Spain and outscoring them by 15 points.
Maya Moore, who picks up her second gold medal, scored 14 points, five rebounds, and dished out six assists. In grabbing her first gold medal, Stewart had 11 points while Tina Charles had eight points as she earned her second gold medal.
It's also the fourth gold medal for Bird and Taurasi along with their teammate Tamika Catchings. It is the 49th straight win for Team USA and sixth gold medal in a row for the Americans.