Olympics-Basketball-U.S. overcomes stubborn Nigeria, Japan tops France

[July 27, 2021]  By Chris Gallagher

SAITAMA, Japan (Reuters) - The United States overcame a slow start to top a stubborn Nigeria 81-72 on Tuesday as they began their quest for a seventh straight gold medal in Olympic women's basketball.

The U.S. women, who have dominated the tournament, found themselves in uncomfortable territory at the Saitama Super Arena as the Nigerians led 20-17 after the first quarter, pressuring the Americans into committing eight turnovers.

The U.S. women regained their footing and took the lead halfway through the second quarter on a Diana Taurasi three-pointer that was part of a 23-0 run, which led to a 44-32 U.S. advantage at the halftime break.

Refusing to go away, Nigeria cut the deficit, which was as much as 22, to eight points with just over three minutes left to play, before the U.S. again steadied the ship with two quick baskets after a time-out.

A'ja Wilson, the WNBA's most valuable player in 2020, led the United States with 19 points. Brittney Griner chipped in 13 and Taurasi, competing in her fifth Olympics, added 10 points.

Veteran U.S. captain Sue Bird gave credit to Nigeria for the defensive pressure they brought but took heart in the way her team was able to adjust.

"They like to make the game chaotic, they like to make you do things that you're not used to doing, play a way you don't want to play. It's never going to be pretty against them," she said.

Nigeria had four scorers in double digits led by Ezinne Kalu with 16. Their captain Adaora Elonu took away positives despite coming up short.

"It's a mix of disappointment but also encouragement for us because we wanted some rhythm and we got that toward the end. So if we can carry that on for the next game it will be good," she said.

JAPAN GETS BY FRANCE

In the day's earlier Group B game, hosts Japan battled to a 74-70 win over France with a gritty defensive display and ruthless three-point shooting.

Maki Takada of Japan celebrates after the match as Sandrine Gruda of France and Endene Miyem of France looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Brian Snyder

France struggled to get into their offence as the hosts looked to trap their ball handlers with double and triple teams, while Japan capitalised on French defensive lapses by knocking down a series of clutch three-pointers in the final frame.

The French briefly took the lead after a run in the fourth quarter followed by a back-and-forth final few minutes, until Moeko Nagaoka sank a dagger three-pointer with 29 seconds left to put Japan up 72-68.

Japan had three scorers in double digits including Nagaoka, Maki Takada, and Saki Hayashi with a team-high 12 points, while Sandrine Gruda led France with a game-high 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Japan's Saori Miyazaki said aggressive defence was key to her team's game plan.

"When it comes to guarding, we're a lot smaller than the French players. Defence has long been a big part of Japanese basketball and I'm glad it succeeded today," she said.

The Japanese scored 11 three-pointers, including five in the fourth quarter, to go 41% from behind the arc compared with just 21% for France.

"This team of Japan, each time you did a mistake on defence, they shoot a three-pointer and they score," said French head coach Valerie Garnier.

Japan, who have never medalled in the Olympics, next face the United States on Friday. France, which won silver in 2012, will take on Nigeria.

(Reporting by Chris Gallagher; Editing by Stephen Coates and Karishma Singh)

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