Semifinals Recap: USA and France To Play for Gold Medal

Sat, Aug 10, 2024, 10:42 AM

USA (5-0):

In USA’s 85-64 Semifinals win over Australia, Breanna Stewart scored 11 points in the first half and has now reached double figures in scoring during each of her first five games in Paris. Breanna finished with a game-high 16 points on 50% (6-12) shooting from the field while adding six rebounds and tying for the game-high with five assists. Stewart made 61% of her field-goal attempts so far in Paris, which is the fourth-best among players with at least 30 attempts.

USA went on a 12-0 run during Sabrina Ionescu’s first stint of the game, spanning 0:45 of the first quarter until 7:13 of the second quarter, and she finished the first half with a team-high +12 plus-minus. Ionescu scored eight points on 50% (3-6) shooting from the field and recorded a +11 plus-minus overall, which was the best among all USA reserves against Australia.

France:

France defeated Belgium 81-75 in overtime after Marine Fauthoux made all four of her attempts from the free-throw line over the last minute of regulation and overtime. Fauthoux scored or assisted on six of France’s first seven points in the overtime period, with the lone exception being a Gabby Williams made free-throw following a layup assisted by Fauthoux. She finished with six points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals in the win, while recording a game-high +20 plus-minus.

Marine Johannès scored six points with a team-high five assists to go along with a steal for France. Johannès has made 13 three-pointers so far in Paris, which is the most of any player entering the final round.

France and USA will face off on Sunday, August 11 at 9:30 AM ET in the Gold Medal game.

Australia will match up with Belgium on Sunday, August 11 at 5:30 AM ET for the Bronze Medal.