It was closer than Team USA’s first game, but the Americans had no trouble taking down FIBA's No. 3-ranked Spain 103-63 in another matchup decided by halftime. It’s pretty clear by now that Team USA has far and away the pool’s most talented team.
Brittney Griner continued to make her presence known on both ends of the floor as she tallied eight points and three rebounds in seven first-quarter minutes to start the game off. She’s unquestionably been the team's best player and finished with 10 points.
Her post moves are leagues above her competition, and she’s been able to shoot widely uncontested short jumpers from a few feet out. Most importantly, she stayed out of foul trouble again, keeping her arms high and straight with her feet planted because she really doesn’t have to jump much. She added two steals and a block
Sylvia Fowles, Griner’s teammate down low, was also extremely effective scoring. Fowles added six points on 3-of-4 shooting, benefiting on paint space made available by the deep-range capability of Elena Delle Donne. She helped stretch the floor and hit one from three-point range.
Diana Taurasi also remained hot from deep, connecting on two in the first half just one day after tying her U.S. Olympic record of five. She finished with 13 points.
The Americans took a 54-37 lead into the half, moving the ball to assist on 12 of 21 buckets.
The second half played out much the same way with the American bigs finding easy opportunities in the paint. Fowles continued to pack the paint, finishing with 12 points, and Tina Charles caught a spark as well after playing just five minutes in the first half. She finished with eight points and six rebounds.
America outscored Spain 29-12 in the final quarter to put a cap on the 40-point blowout. Team USA will look to continue annihilating the field as they take on Serbia on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. ET.
