Record-setting 8th gold medal picked up by Team USA following close finish against France

Serving as the final event of this year’s Olympic games, Team USA set a new record in earning an eighth straight gold medal.

This year’s women’s national team claimed gold on the heels of a, 67-66, win over France Sunday, Aug. 11 from Bercy Arena in Paris. That makes it now 61 straight victories for the program in addition to the record-setting gold addition to the mantle.

Flexibility and adaptability became the calling card for head coach Cheryl Reeves and her USA group. Following the disqualification of guard Jackie Young due to fouls, reserve guard Kahleah Copper was called on in a big fourth quarter spot.

Copper scored 10 of her 12 points in the fourth quarter with four coming in the final 78 seconds of regulation. She converted a layup late in regulation to put her team back up by three.

The first-time Olympian made this impact in the team’s biggest game of the summer two contest after receiving a DNP via a coach’s decision.

The women’s national team faced its largest deficit of the Olympic games amidst a 10-point hole early in the third quarter. France went on a 10-0 start coming out of halftime while the gold medal favorites missed each of their first three attempts of the third.

Almost immediately after, Team USA raced out on an 8-0 run of its own. That spurt was highlighted by two threes from two-time WNBA champion Kelsey Plum. Shortly after, the red, white and blue would regain the lead on a 16-5 run overall.

Plum finished with 12 points in her reserve role.

Two-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson was named MVP of the Olympics after capping her summer with a 21-point, 13-rebound outing. Her scoring output led all scorers on the day.

France guard Gabby Williams knocked down a buzzer-beating deep two but missed out on the chance to tie the game at 67 with a three.