U.S. Women's Basketball Dominates Another Olympics to Take Gold

Dominance: it’s a term that’s been used to describe teams like John Gooden’s UCLA Bruins, or the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s; but after these Olympics, another team has unequivocally cemented itself as a legendary basketball powerhouse.

With 41 straight Olympic victories, the USA women claimed their fifth straight gold medal Saturday, easily defeating France 86-50. Led by veterans Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird and Tamika Catchings, the United States averaged a 34.4-point margin of victory during these Olympics, with their closest game ending in an 86-73 win over Australia in the semi-finals. "It's not easy to just be put together and be expected to win a gold medal," Taurasi said, according to Inside Bay Area. "It's a special feeling.”

Forward Candace Parker, who was just six years old the last time the American women suffered an Olympic defeat in the Barcelona games, had 21 points and 11 rebounds in the win over France, according to USA Today. 

“You can't apologize for being really good," said Coach Geno Auriemma, who has coached his fair share of dynasty teams at the University of Connecticut. "The reason people don't think there's any competition is because they don't have to be here playing. We know how hard we have to work to make it look easy.”

One thing’s for sure: Come 2016, Team USA will have its eyes on the gold and nothing less; and that roster may include some familiar faces. When asked if she and fellow veterans Bird and Catchings would be returning for the Rio Games, Diana Taurasi answered simply, “We shook on it.”

Image via Getty. 

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