US Women's Basketball Team Beats Japan in Olympics Opener

In a commanding performance, the U.S. women's basketball team triumphed over Japan 102-76 in their Olympic group play opener on Monday. The match, a rematch of the 2021 gold medal game, showcased the U.S. team's size advantage, with A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart dominating the paint against Japan's smaller lineup, whose tallest player stood at just 6-foot-1. The U.S. shot an impressive 67 percent from the field and secured 56 rebounds compared to Japan's 27. Wilson led the charge with 24 points and 13 rebounds, emphasizing the team's focus on maintaining their momentum. Despite Japan's hopes for revenge after their previous loss in the Tokyo final, the U.S. effectively shut down their outside shooting and exploited their height advantage. The American players executed fadeaway shots and aggressive drives, making it difficult for Japan to keep pace. Japan managed to find a rhythm in the second quarter, narrowing the gap to six points with under three minutes left in the half. However, the U.S. quickly regained control, extending their lead to 22 points by the end of the third quarter. Stewart noted the importance of building trust and understanding the team's standard of play as they move forward in the tournament. The U.S. women's basketball team demonstrated their strength and adaptability, setting a high standard for their upcoming games in the Olympic competition.