The crowd at London’s O2 Arena was left amused seeing the U.S. women’s basketball team dominate the pre-Olympic tune-up game. They bagged an 84-57 win over Germany, which is making its Olympic debut. Now, the USAWB team is set on their run to get an 8th consecutive gold. It was the 1996 Olympics when the USAWB team won their third gold medal and has maintained the streak ever since.

So, in light of this exuberant winning culture spanning near 3 decades, ESPN invited the 1996 Olympic gold winner Rebecca Lobo to share her insights on the team’s latest endeavor for gold. She said, “What was most impressive to me was the play of their front court and that’s no surprise,” as the team displayed their stronghold in plays under the basket vs Germany.

Further, she pressed upon how A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart’s scoring leadership is setting the pace for the team altogether. “A’ja Wilson Brianna Stewart led the team in scoring in the game this past weekend against the All-Stars. They LED them in scoring again today… These are your last two MVPs of the past two WNBA seasons. Both of them looked ready to lead this USA Squad throughout the course of the Olympics.”

Although impressive, however, it was expected that A’ja Wilson would put out an awesome stat line, which she did. With 19 points, 14 rebounds, and a shooting efficiency of 53.8%, Wilson led the team. Similar is the case with Breanna Stewart who straight up went and scored 15 points.

Feeding to the action, the team took their first double-digit lead of 15-4 after Wilson took a one-foot jumper with less than 4 minutes left in the first quarter, exemplifying a true force in the paint. Wilson’s dominance in the paint stood as a perfect balance for Stewart’s scoring from the outside. Stewart made 2 3-pointers and shot 5-of-6 from the free-throw line while she grabbed 6 rebounds and gave 5 dimes. Overall, it was a ‘two-man action in tandem,’ as Stewart puts it.

Wilson and Stewart lead the collective effort

The game was opened by Diana Taurasi’s beautiful 3-point shot from the wing, setting off the team’s defense from Germany. Jewell Loyd, coming off the bench, scored 4-0f-6 shooting. The team collectively finished the game with 27 assists with Taurasi making a 3 in the first half alongside Gray, Stewart, and Loyd making at least two apiece. Their long-rage shooting, by the end, read 42.3%.

The USAWB team was able to take a 44-32 lead in the first half with 15 made shots and 14 assists. It was Stewart and Wilson leading the way with the former scoring 13 points and Wilson already arriving at a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

The second half then tipped off with Chelsea Gray making a shot beyond the arc. Hence, the lead extended to 19 points with Wilson again making 2 free throws within 9 minutes left in the third quarter while Germany kept coming back.

“They are a good team, that’s why they are in the Olympics. They have WNBA players, overseas players, and teams are going to go on runs. But if you can sustain that and stick to your principles, you’ll be OK,” said Taurasi, praising the German women’s basketball team while stating the focus and determination embodied by the USAWB team as they are headed to Paris.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr: