U.S. outlasts France to win 8th straight women's hoops gold - ESPN

PARIS — The French word for «miracle» would have translated to «disaster» for the U.S. women's basketball team on Sunday.

But the Americans' eighth consecutive gold medal will be a memorable one because the virtually unbeatable global power won, literally, by inches.

The U.S. survived a serious and stunning test from France by a 67-66 margin, and only because Gabby Williams' heave at the buzzer that banked in, a possible shot for the ages, was taken with her foot on the 3-point line, denying the home team a chance at overtime.

It left an odd, anticlimactic vibe inside Bercy Arena. France had achieved a remarkable feat by pressing the U.S. to the max in a once-in-a-lifetime moment but came up empty, while Team USA was left to feel relief much more than accomplishment.

But in the end, the U.S. captured its 61st consecutive Olympic win and eighth straight gold medal. It also marked the sixth career gold for Diana Taurasi.

«I think everyone always thinks these games end up being easy because we win gold medals. But a game in France against a French team that we know what kind of pedigree they play,» said Taurasi, who didn't play in the game. «I've been lucky to be around some of the just best players to ever play. When I was younger, some of my idols in the middle with my counterparts and now to see these young guys go out there and get this gold medal, a lot of luck, a lot of hard work.»

The gold was the 40th for the United States in Paris and was the final medal awarded at the Games. The women's basketball win allowed the U.S. to tie with China in golds; overall, the Americans had 126 total medals to China's 91.

«I saw the metal count beforehand,» Team USA coach Cheryl Reeve said. «I thought, 'that's what we need, more