SAITAMA, Japan — The U.S. ladies gained, as common. It simply wasn’t in the dominant style that the Individuals are accustomed to.
The successful streak for the world’s top-ranked team is now 50 video games and counting in Olympic competitors. A’ja Wilson scored 19 factors and grabbed 13 rebounds in her debut because the Individuals beat Nigeria 81-72 on Tuesday in the opener for each groups.
It was the primary time {that a} team had come inside single digits of the U.S. since a four-point win over Russia in the semifinals of 2004 Athens Video games.
Sue Chook has been part of the previous 5 Olympics and wasn’t too involved by the ultimate margin.
“You are speaking about a number of the biggest Olympic groups of all-time,” she mentioned of the earlier ones that gained by double-digits. “I do not know what number of groups would beat that Rio team, the London team or the Beijing team. This team remains to be figuring it out. We’ll get there.”
The U.S. got here to Tokyo coming off two uncommon exhibition losses in Las Vegas earlier this month. The Individuals additionally beat Nigeria by 31 factors in that game.
Diana Taurasi, who was taking part in in her first game in almost a month after struggling a hip damage, has competed in the final 33 of these victories to set a report for many video games in the Olympics. She confirmed no ill-effects from the damage that sidelined her for the team’s three exhibition video games in Las Vegas two weeks in the past.
“It was a pleasant to get on the market and compete slightly bit with the group,” mentioned Taurasi, who injured her hip in early July. “Yeah, I felt fairly good hopefully it retains getting higher day-to-day. As a gaggle I believe we did some good issues at this time, some issues we now have to work on. I believe total it was a fairly good match by us.”
With a roster filled with former U.S. faculty gamers, Nigeria wasn’t intimidated by the Individuals. The African nation jumped out to an 8-1 lead because the U.S. missed its first 4 photographs and dedicated 4 turnovers. The Nigerians have been up 20-17 after one quarter and prolonged the lead to 25-20 earlier than the U.S. took over.
The Individuals scored 23 straight factors, the primary 4 by Wilson — one in every of six newcomers on the U.S. roster.
“It felt good to get in the movement of issues on the market,” Wilson mentioned. “I used to be positively nervous, however then had that second once I was like I am supposed to be right here.”
Breanna Stewart scored seven factors in the course of the game-changing burst. The U.S. led 44-32 on the half as Nigeria regrouped to rating seven of the ultimate eight factors of the second quarter.
The U.S. prolonged the lead to 70-50 on the finish of the third quarter on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Jewell Loyd. The Individuals led 75-55 earlier than Nigeria scored 12 straight factors to reduce it to eight with 3:19 left.
That is as shut as they’d get,
Ezinne Kalu scored 16 to lead Nigeria.
“It is a mixture of disappointment but in addition encouragement for us as a result of we needed some rhythm, and I believe we acquired it towards the tip,” mentioned Nigeria’s Adaora Elonu. “So if we are able to carry it on for the following game it’s going to be good. However I believe it is good we acquired it underneath 10 as a result of right here in this match all factors matter.”
TIP-INS
The U.S. additionally holds the second longest Olympic win streak with 15 consecutive victories. … Turnovers plagued the Individuals, who dedicated 12 in the primary half and 25 for the game. … Becoming a member of Wilson as first-time Olympians have been Loyd, Skylar Diggins, Ariel Atkins, Chelsea Grey and Napheesa Collier.
STRANGE STAT
The Nigerians had 18 extra area aim makes an attempt than the U.S. however made six much less photographs.
LOOKING FOR A WIN
Nigeria was trying to grow to be the primary African nation to win an Olympic contest in women’s basketball since 2004 when the team went 1-5 in Greece. No team from the continent has gained a game since. There are hopes for that to doubtlessly change: Nigeria went 3-Four on the FIBA World Cup in 2018, falling to the U.S. in the quarterfinals.
UP NEXT
U.S.: Faces Japan on Friday.
Nigeria: Faces France on Friday.