Team USA’s women’s basketball squad is battling it out against Japan at the Paris Olympics. This is their first game at the quadrennial event. Although Team USA are the masters at this game, as they are going for their consecutive eighth Olympic gold this year, the Japanese are no less and have stunned all with their three-pointer skills. So much so that it has got A’ja Wilson’s WNBA teammate Sydney Colson talking about them especially referring to Mai Yamamoto.

“I know japan be doin some craaazy 3 pt shooting drills in practice,” Colson wrote while being amazed at Japan’s fightback. The USA is currently leading at halftime with a 50-39 margin. However, what has come as a surprise to many is that the Japanese are executing a barrage of three-pointers.

While Yamamoto has hit three of the fourth three-pointers she has attempted, Saki Hayashi has scored two from beyond the arc. Matching foot with foot Rui Machida has also scored two three-pointers. Similarly, Maki Takada, Nako Motohashi, and Himawari Akaho have hit one three-pointer each. In total, the Japanese have scored 10 three-pointers just in the first half which account for 30 points out of the 39 they have scored.

As for the USA, they had taken the lead from the first quarter itself. In the first quarter, they dominated by a 22-15 margin, and in the next quarter, they helped their team by a 28-24 margin. Hence at halftime, the score was in favor of the USA who had hit 50 points as compared to Japan’s 39. Though the Japanese contribution was good enough, the stars of the night are Wilson & Co.

A’ja Wilson & Co. look to open their Paris campaign with a win

Wilson has hit 24 points as the game is in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Breanna Stewart has scored 22 points. Plus, Wilson is also leading the game in rebounds with 13. As for assists, Chelsea Gray looks to be playing exceptionally well scoring 13 assists. Team USA has been good in the shooting department as well, though they haven’t scored many three-pointers.

While Stewart has scored 11 out of the 15 field goals she has attempted, Wilson has scored 10-out-of 16 field goals. This all points to a strong preparation from the USA, who have now touched the 100-point mark.

Perhaps, it is a display from the underdogs similar to this that proves that the game is progressing. Whenever the fans reflect back on this game in the future, the first name to hit the fans’ lips will be Yamamoto. As for Colson, she can keep sharing her take on the crucial moments in 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.