Breanna Stewart scored 26 points and A’ja Wilson posted a double-double for Team USA as they went on to win 87-74 over Belgium, advancing to the Paris 2024 Olympics quarterfinals on Thursday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Wilson mustered 23 points and collected 13 rebounds for the United States (2-0) in her second double-double in as many games in France. Both Alyssa Thomas and Jewel Loyd came off the bench and reached eight points each.
Emma Meesseman led Belgium (0-2) with 24 points and Antonia Delaere notched 16. Julie Vanloo added 11 as a sub in the Belgian’s second consecutive loss.
Belgium put up tough battle, USA will their way to win
With Belgium desperately needing a win to keep their hopes of advancing out of Group C alive, they never backed down from the challenge of facing arguably the best team in the competition.
Trailing 17-12 after Stewart went on a nine-point tear out of the gate, Vanloo checked into the game and went to work. She tied the score and got Belgium its first lead as she went off with seven straight points in a 56-second span, starting a 9-0 run.
Brittney Griner broke up the Belgian’s momentum with a tip shot before the first quarter concluded 23-23. The Phoenix Mercury star ended with seven points and three rebounds overall.
Evenly matched after the first frame, the Americans came out in the second with their sights on creating space offensively and matching the physicality that Belgium presented.
The United States outscored Belgium 23-15 in the quarter and held the Belgians scoreless for 2:59 later into it. Thomas had six of her eight points in the game come in the second quarter as well as six rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal throughout the victory.
Both teams went into halftime and whatever was said in the locker rooms, both teams honed in on their defense when they returned to action. Only one 3-pointer was scored by either team, it coming from USA’s Napheesa Collier.
Belgium won the third quarter 15-14, but were down 60-53 and were unable to get back into the game. Stewart and Wilson tallied 16 of the 27 points the U.S. had in the fourth and final quarter.
Adding icing on the cake, Sabrina Ionescu swished a three with four seconds left and shushed the crowd who were hoping for an upset win by Belgium.
Photo Credit: @HaterReport on X
Sabrina Ionescu to the crowd ???? pic.twitter.com/D51vXoQ9MT
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) August 1, 2024
The Americans heavily outrebounded the Belgians 48-28 despite their turnovers being high as they gave the ball up 16 times. Team USA shot 29-for-65 (44.6%) and 5-for-14 (35.7%) from three. Belgium’s valiant effort ultimately came up short off going a woeful 5-for-27 (18.5%) from behind the arch.
Mercury forward Kahleah Copper did not play for the United States.
Though they have qualified for the quarterfinals of the Olympics, Team USA still has to play one more game in Group C, a tough matchup vs. the undefeated Germany (2-0) on Sunday at 8:15 a.m. PT. As for Belgium, they will go up against Japan (0-2) on Sunday at 2 a.m. PT.
A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart dominate in Paris 2024 Olympic opener, Team USA smoke Japan 102-76
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Reporter Alec Cipollini covers ASU Athletics, the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
