On top of the world once again
ISTANBUL — Sue Bird added another gold medal to her already impressive U.S. basketball resume.
Bird became the most-decorated player in world championship history when the Americans won a second straight gold with a 77-64 victory over Spain on Sunday.
Bird has won three gold medals and a bronze.
“It was a great win for us,” Bird said. “We had one goal the entire time this team’s been together, and that’s win a gold medal. A lot of people see a lot of talent and think it’s going to be easy and it’s not. Whenever you can win a gold medal and it’s a tough journey, everyone’s happy. I’m definitely proud of this team.”
Though Bird was quick to deflect what winning a fourth medal meant to her, head coach Geno Auriemma was quick to heap praise on his point guard.
“She’s very indicative of what USA Basketball is. She’s loyal, a great leader. Everyone respects her,” Au- riemma said. “She’s been the youngest player on the team and now’s the oldest player on the team. She’s seen it all and done it all. I think when you talk about USA Basketball in the future on the women’s side, there have been a lot of great names and her name will be mentioned very early in the names of players who play for USA.”
Maya Moore scored 18 points and earned MVP honors for the tournament. Former Stanford forward Nneka Ogwumike had two points and three rebounds in 16 minutes.
Lindsay Whalen added 12 points for the United States (6-0), which hasn’t lost in a gold-medal game in the world championship since 1983, when it was beaten by the Soviet Union 84-82. Except for a hiccup in 2006 when the Americans lost to Russia in the semifinals, they have won every Olympic and world-cham- pionship game since 1996. If not for that upset in Brazil, the U.S. would have five straight world titles.
The Americans quickly turned it into a laugher, jumping to a 13-point lead in the first five minutes. Spain (5-1) could get no closer than seven the rest of the way. Moore was the key in that early burst, scoring 11 points during the opening 18-5 run. Her three-pointers barely moved the net as the Americans blitzed Spain, which was making its first appearance in the championship game.
The Americans led 48-29 at the half. It was more of the same in the second half for the U.S., which led by 25 points before Spain closed the game with a 14-2 run.
In other games, Australia routed Turkey 74-44 to win the bronze medal. Canada topped China 61-53 to finish fifth and France beat Serbia 88-74 for seventh place.