RIO DE JANEIRO — Maya Moore scored 12 points, and the U.S. routed Canada 81-51 Friday to clinch Group B in women’s basketball.
The U.S. won its 45th straight Olympic game after a sloppy start where the Americans (4-0) had their two lowest scoring quarters in Rio. They led only 18-16 after the first quarter and only could match that total in the second.
Yet the U.S. led 36-22 at halftime after forcing Canada into 15 turnovers and limiting the Canadians to one made field goal in the second quarter. Diana Taurasi also had 12 points, and Tina Charles added 10, proving yet again that the UConn alumnae are unstoppable together.
On Wednesday, the women’s team defeated Serbia 110-84, marking an Olympic record of three-straight 100+ point games. This game puts a dent in the team’s chance of breaking the 102.4 points a game the 1996 team averaged en route to the gold medal that started this run of five straight that the U.S. is currently on.
After losing to the Americans by 40 in a pre-Olympic exhibition contest, Canada (3-1) came in with its first ever undefeated start in the games. Kia Nurse, who plays at UConn for U.S. coach Geno Auriemma, was 1-of-9 and finished with just three points.
