US Women’s Basketball Team Routs France, 86-50, to Win Fifth Straight Olympic Gold Medal
Candace Parker scored 21 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, as the United States women’s basketball team soundly defeated France, 86-50, on Saturday night to win the gold medal game at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The victory gave the US the gold medal in women’s basketball for the fifth straight Olympic Games and extended its Olympic winning streak to 41.
Leading by just 12 points at halftime, the US pulled away with a 26-12 run in the third quarter. American guard Diana Taurasi had nine points and six assists, and teammate Sue Bird added 11 points. Edwige Lawson-Wade and Sandrine Gruda scored 12 points apiece for France, which won its first-ever medal in women’s basketball.
Earlier in the day, Australia beat Russia, 83-74, to win the bronze medal game.