RIO DE JANEIRO — The U.S. women’s basketball team showed off its speed, size and depth in a 110-64 victory over Japan and advanced to the Olympic semifinals with another convincing win.
UConn alumnae Maya Moore and Diana Taurasi each scored 19 points as the U.S. women’s basketball team routed Japan for its 47th straight win. The U.S. did it without Sue Bird for most the game as the point guard and team captain went down in the second quarter with a knee injury.
The Americans, who will play the winner of France-Canada in the semifinals Thursday, apparently even impressed Japan.
The Japanese players posed for a team picture with the U.S. after the rout — the second straight opponent to get a memento with the Americans. China took a photo with the Americans in pool play. It’s reminiscent of how opponents reacted to the Dream Team at the 1992 Barcelona Games.
Bird remained on the end of the bench watching the action along with nine of the U.S. men’s basketball team who were in the stands.
