Brittney Griner scored 30 points Sunday as Team USA defeated Japan 90-75 at the Tokyo Games to capture their seventh straight gold medal. That ties the U.S. men’s team for most consecutive gold medals in basketball.
The U.S. women also extended their Olympic Games winning streak to 55 games. The last time Team USA lost a game in this tournament was in 1992 at the Barcelona Games.
A’ja Wilson scored 19 points and had seven rebounds, five assists and five blocks, while Breanna Stewart added 14 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, four steals and three blocks for Team USA.
It was a historic day for American teammates Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird, who became the first players to win their fifth women’s basketball gold medals with Team USA.
The Americans started quickly, running out to a 23-14 lead. The squad continued its torrid pace in the second quarter, finishing with 53% shooting to take a 50-39 lead at the half.
Griner, who earned her second Olympic gold medal, also had five rebounds and three blocked shots. She made 14 of 18 shots in the game and led Team USA’s first-half charge by scoring 18 points, while Wilson added 10.
Team USA began to pull away in the third quarter, using an 18-6 run to take a 75-56 lead heading into the final period.
It was Japan’s first appearance in a women’s basketball gold medal. Team captain Maki Takada led Japan with 17 points.
Olympic women's basketball Team USA players celebrate after winning the gold medal game, a convincing 90-75 victory against Japan. (Eric Gay/Associated Press )
Olympic women's basketball Britney Griner and Team USA muscled their way to a gold medal on Sunday. (Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press)
Olympic women's basketball A'Ja Wilson drives to the basket during first-half action. (Luca Bruno/Associated Press)
Women's Olympic basketball Diana Taurasi made history by winning her fifth gold medal for Team USA. (Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press )
Olympic women's basketball Brittney Griner ran Japan ragged during the gold medal game. (Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press)
Olympic women's basketball Breanna Stewart (10) drives past Japan's Himawari Akaho during Sunday's gold medal game. (Luca Bruno/Associated Press)
Olympic women's basketball Jewell Loyd (4) of Team USA guards Japan's Evelyn Mawuli during the gold medal game. (Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
Olympic women's basketball Japan's Himawari Akaho, left, threads a pass by Team USA members Brittney Griner (15) and Diana Taurasi (12). (Luca Bruno/Associated Press)
Olympic women's basketball Japan's Himawari Akaho (88), right, drives past Team USA's Diana Taurasi during the gold medal game. (Luca Bruno/Associated Press)
Olympic women's basketball Japan's Monica Okoye (99) drives around United States' Tina Charles (14) during Sunday's gold medal game. (Luca Bruno/Associated Press )
Olympic women's basketball Diana Taurasi, left, and Sue Bird celebrate after becoming the first international basketball players to win five gold medals. (Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images)
Olympic women's basketball A'Ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray #8 of Team USA celebrate after defeating Japan in the women's Olympic basketball gold medal game. (Abbie Parr/Getty Images)