RIO DE JANEIRO — The United States women’s basketball team thumped Spain 101-72 to claim a sixth straight gold medal on Sunday to rubberstamp their credentials as one of the greatest Olympic sporting dynasties of all time.
After a sloppy start that saw Spain lead much of the opening quarter, the United States finally settled into their familiar rhythm, turning a 10-0 run into a 17 point halftime lead.
From then on there was no way back for Spain as the U.S. extended its Olympic winning streak to a staggering 49-0.
Only two other nations claim such a run of domination in an Olympic team sport.
The United States’ Olympic men’s basketball teams earned seven consecutive gold medals from 1936 to 1968 while India claimed six-straight men’s field hockey gold medals from 1928 to 1956.
For Spain, the silver was its first in Olympic women’s basketball. Earlier, Serbia beat France 70-63 in the bronze medal game. )