August 4, 2024; Villeneuve-du-Asker, France; United States power forward Breanna Stewart (10) during a women's Group C match at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics at Stade Pierre-Mauroy Shot during half-time against Germany. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports Brianna Stewart scored 16 points to lead the United States to an 85-64 victory over Australia in the first semifinals of the Paris Olympics on Friday to advance to its eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal game.
The United States (5-0) will face the winner of the other semifinal between Belgium and France scheduled for later Friday in Sunday's gold medal game. In the bronze medal match, Australia will face the loser.
The showdown with Belgium will be a rematch. In the group match on August 1, the United States defeated Belgium 87-74.
Stewart made 6 of 12 shots, a three-pointer, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. A'ja Wilson finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and four blocks, while her Vegas Aces teammate Jackie Young, making her second consecutive start, finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and four blocks. 14 points and 5 assists. Kahleah Copper came off the bench to score 11 points, six rebounds and three assists.
Isobel Borlase scored 11 points to lead the Opals (3-2), while Marianna Tolo and Tess Madgen each had 10 point. Veteran Lauren Jackson — a four-time Olympic medalist and former three-time WNBA MVP — played only brief minutes and had just one rebound and one steal.
Still, Australia will have their first chance at a medal since Jackson was last called up to the national team in 2012, when they won bronze in London.
The United States never trailed Australia and tied the game just 26 seconds into the first quarter when Chelsea Gray broke the score with a layup, setting off a 12-2 run.
Entering the second quarter, the Opals trailed by 4 points, but Team USA used a 14-2 run to pull away and easily gain a 16-point advantage. Koper had two assists and a 3-pointer in that span. Then Stewart hit a mid-range jumper, and the US team led by 21 points in the second game.
In the middle of the third quarter, driven by Wilson's six points and two rebounds, the United States went on a 16-4 run to lead by 27 points.
The U.S. team shot 50% from the field and had 31 assists on 34 attempts. The United States outrebounded Australia 46-34.
Team USA has now won 60 consecutive games at the Olympics, a streak dating back to 1992.
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