Copper turns to gold for Team USA
Kahleah Copper and A’ja Wilson keyed a USA comeback and its defense was stifling in second-half stretches. USA had not been challenged for the entire Olympic tournament but France’s pressure defense forced the Americans into numerous turnovers and they could never find that spurt to create any comfort.
Williams, who gave up her WNBA season to concentrate on preparing for this moment, drained a three-pointer with five seconds left to slice the USA lead to one point before Copper was fouled with 3.8 left and made both free throws, setting up the dramatic and confusing finish.
“I knew right away it was a two-pointer; I’m disappointed,” Williams said. “I’m really happy with what we’ve done (with Team France). I don’t think we should hold our heads down. Of course there is disappointment, but I think in a few hours we will celebrate, because what we did was incredible.”
Team USA was expected to breeze through this tournament, the only undefeated team, especially after dismantling Australia in the semi-finals. The Aussies beat France in group play. But French coach Jean Aime Toupane made some astute adjustments, using his guards to play full-court defense on the Team USA guards, rushing its offense and causing miscues.
Team USA played better in the second half, committing only five turnovers and using the will of Wilson in the paint and the slashing of Copper for layups. But the players knew that France would be a formidable opponent, especially in a jam-packed Bercy Arena.
“Listen, this is the Olympics; this is the biggest stage; France came out and the support for their team was amazing,” Copper said. “As a competitor, you love these environments; you expect teams to bring it. It feels even better to have to gut the game out like that, really have to find it, really have to string together stops and really work together, so I’m proud of this group.”
Wilson was named MVP of the Olympic Tournament, finishing the gold medal game with 21 points, 13 rebounds and four blocked shots in 33-plus minutes. She controlled the paint against France’s plethora of centers but said she stopped playing for fouls.
“I stopped looking for the calls and I was just like, ‘Something’s got to work’,” Wilson said. “I’m not going to shy from it. I leaned on my defense more and that’s what got things going not only for myself but for my team as well. But the thing in the international game, especially with USAB (basketball) is they don’t really care about anything when it comes to us. You must work harder, play through the contact and be (poised) to the highest degree.”
