A’ja Wilson piled up 23 points and 13 rebounds while Breanna Stewart scored 26 points as the U.S. women’s national team beat Belgium 87-74 in group play at the Paris Olympics on Thursday at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq, France.
The result marked the 57th consecutive victory for the Americans in Olympic play and secured a spot for the U.S. in the quarterfinals.
Stewart and Wilson combined to shoot 17-of-31 from the floor. Stewart also added seven rebounds and four assists for the U.S. (2-0), while Wilson had three steals in addition to her double-double. Alyssa Thomas added eight points, six rebounds and four assists off the bench.
“I was able to get downhill a lot, run in transition,” Stewart told NBC postgame. “Because they play so fast and consistent on offense, we were able to get out in transition a little bit. Really making sure that I started off aggressive and set the tone for the team.”
Emma Meesseman — the MVP of the 2019 WNBA Finals for the Washington Mystics — led Belgium (0-2) with 24 points and two blocks. Current Mystics guard Julie Vanloo had 11 points, while Antonia Delaere scored 16 points and dished out eight assists.
Belgium led by as many as four points in the first quarter, but a bucket and an assist from Thomas near the end of the opening period tied the game up for the Americans. The U.S. kept that momentum going in the second quarter, opening it with a 19-6 run that was capped off by a 3-pointer and a layup from Jewell Loyd to put the Americans ahead by 13 points.
The Belgians trimmed that deficit to four points in the third quarter after three consecutive made baskets from Meesseman and Vanloo, but they never got any closer. The U.S. pushed its lead to 14 points midway through the fourth quarter following a layup from Stewart.
Key for the U.S. was its dominance on the glass. The Americans, led by Wilson, outrebounded Belgium 48-28. Napheesa Collier tied for second for the U.S. in rebounding, matching Stewart’s seven boards.
Team USA will face Germany in its final group stage game on Sunday at 11:15 a.m. ET.
The Germans are also 2-0 in group play and have a spot in the quarterfinals after beating Japan 75-64 on Thursday behind 33 points from Dallas Wings’ forward Satou Sabally.
“I’m super excited. We believed in ourselves the whole time and I think now it’s finally showing that German basketball is really elevated in Europe and all around the world,” Sabally told reporters.
In Group B, Australia beat Canada 70-65 to secure their first Olympic win after an opening loss to Nigeria.
The Australians had a tough time with the Canadian attack, but secured victory thanks to guard Sami Whitcomb who finished with 19 points, five rebounds and 10 assists.
France toppled Nigeria 75-54 thanks to 15 points and five assists from Marine Johannes and 14 points, seven assists and five rebounds for Gabby Williams. France improved to 2-0 to lead Group B.
–Field Level Media (Reuters contributed to this report)
