Kahleah Copper shines in Olympic victory

In a thrilling conclusion to the women's basketball tournament at the Paris Olympics, Team USA secured their eighth consecutive gold medal with a narrow 67-66 victory over France. A’ja Wilson, in a post-game interview, succinctly praised teammate Kahleah Copper, who played a pivotal role by scoring crucial free throws in the final seconds. Copper's performance, alongside her teammates, ensured that the U.S. maintained their dominance in Olympic women's basketball, marking their 61st straight victory in the Games. The match against France was particularly tense, as it was the closest the U.S. had come to defeat since 1992. With just 3.9 seconds remaining, Copper's free throws put Team USA ahead, ultimately sealing their victory despite a last-second shot from France that was ruled a two-pointer. This win not only added to Team USA's impressive medal tally but also tied them with China for the most overall golds in Olympic history. Earlier in the tournament, Team USA faced Nigeria in the quarterfinals, where a controversial technical foul on Copper led to a final score of 88-74. Coach Cheryl Reeve described the incident as an unfortunate misunderstanding, emphasizing the importance of respect in the game. The U.S. team celebrated their success while Nigeria made history as the first African team to reach the Olympic basketball quarterfinals, marking a significant achievement for the nation.