USA TODAY International Edition
US women claim first 3- on- 3 gold
TOKYO – The U. S. women’s 3- on- 3 basketball team has made history.
Allisha Gray, Kelsey Plum, Stefanie Dolson and Jackie Young won gold in the inaugural 3- on- 3 basketball competition, defeating Russia 18- 15 Wednesday at Aomi Urban Sports Park.
The U. S. women stormed out to a 7- 2 lead and never looked back. They played suffocating defense that had Russia visibly frustrated during the contest. Russia attempted to make things interesting late, cutting the deficit to as close as three, but the U. S. team remained in control throughout.
Dolson scored a team- high seven points in the gold medal game. Plum contributed with five points.
“This is really cool,” Plum said after the win. “I just feel super blessed.”
Russia’s Anastasiia Logunova had six points in the loss.
The Americans entered the final game with a 7- 1 record, falling to Japan in pool play. They beat France 18- 16 in a tight semifinal matchup earlier in the day to advance.
All four women on the U. S. squad are on WNBA rosters. Plum and Young are teammates for the Aces, Gray plays for the Wings and Dolson is a member of the Sky.
“A gold medal is top tier in my career,” said Gray, who won an NCAA national title in 2017 while at South Carolina. “I think the only thing that can top this is winning another gold medal. I don’t think any other accomplishment in my career tops this gold medal. The gold medal sits at the very top.”