Tokyo, Japan (July 27, 2021)—A’ja Wilson scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the US Women’s Olympic Team (1-0) upended Nigeria, 81-72, in the first game of the 2021 Games for both teams. It was the United States’ 50th straight victory in Olympics competition.
Team USA trailed by 5, 25-20, early in the second quarter, but Wilson scored the first 4 points of what would become a 23-0 run. The U.S held Nigeria scoreless for more than 8 straight minutes in the period.
The United States maintained its double-digit lead throughout much of the second half, but Nigeria scored 17 of the first 22 points in the fourth to cut the lead to 8, 75-67. That was as close as they would get, however, as the United States held on for the victory.
Wilson led the U.S. in scoring, draining 6 of 10 shots, while adding 2 steals and 2 blocked shots on the day.
Chelsea Gray chipped in with 6 points and 3 assists.
Other U.S. players scoring in double figures were Brittney Griner (13 points) and Diana Taurasi (10).