PARIS (AP) — The U.S. women's basketball team isn't focused on its record Olympic winning streak or the history the team would make with one more victory.
The Americans are simply concentrating on beating France and winning the gold medal at the Paris Games on Sunday.
“The winning streak doesn’t mean a lot. But to win it all, it means the world to me," star A'ja Wilson said. "I can’t really pay attention to a lot of streaks. I feel like that’s just added-on pressure. But to come here and keep the main thing the main thing and winning it, it’s something that going to mean the world to me. To continue to be a part of the legacy, the journey that this team, to wear this jersey and others that have here before me, is awesome. So, it’s going to mean a lot for us.”
With a victory on Sunday, the U.S. women's legacy would stretch to 61 consecutive wins in Olympic contests and a record eight straight gold medals. That would break a tie with the U.S. men's program that won seven in a row from 1936-68.
A victory would give Diana Taurasi a sixth consecutive gold medal, making her the most decorated basketball player in Olympic history, breaking a tie with longtime teammate Sue Bird, who won five.
Taurasi has been humble about the potential record, saying she cares more about the team winning then her individual success. It's been a trying Olympics for her as she hasn't started the last two games, the first time she wasn't in the opening lineup since the 2004 Olympics.
Standing in the way is a French team that will be spurred on by a loud, energetic crowd. The game will be a rematch from the 2012 London Olympics, which the U.S. won by 36 points.
“I think it will be an incredible atmosphere. I think that when you play the host country in their country, you expect it to be off the chain," U.S. wing Breanna Stewart said. “Obviously in Tokyo we played Japan, but there was no spectators. And you want that, you want that loud excitement.”
The Americans have put together strong halves and quarters but still haven't played a great 40 minutes. That's been good enough to run through the Olympics so far, with no team able to come within single digits of them.
French players know they have a tall task in front of them to capture the country's first gold medal and pull off the monumental upset.
“You have to believe if you want to do something special,” French wing Gabby Williams said. “What I love is, is our connection between us and our belief in each other. And if anything’s going to bring us gold, it’s going to be that.”
French guard Marine Johannes knows who's on the other team.
“All the best players in the world. But like I said earlier, we have nothing to lose,” she said. “We are going to play hard.”
Sunday's game will cap off a weekend in which France and the U.S. play for both the men's and women's gold medal. It's the first time that's happened in Olympic history.
AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
Marieme Badiane (22), lifts Romane Bernies (47), of France, as they celebrate with Marine Fauthoux (4) after France beat Belgium during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Marieme Badiane (22), of France, lifts Romane Bernies (47), of France, as they celebrate after France beat Belgium during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
United States' Brittney Griner (15) celebrates a basket against Australia during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Team USA celebrate a basket against Australia during a women's semifinal basketball game at Bercy Arena at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
SEATTLE (AP) — The night before the strangest Apple Cup in recent memory was contested at a neutral site and as a non-conference meeting for the first time in more than 60 years, Kingston Fernandez was given a task.
Washington State head coach Jake Dickert wanted cigars for the coaching staff to celebrate should the Cougars prevail. And he tasked his assistant director of operations with making sure they were on hand.
“I texted him yesterday and said, ‘don’t tell any of the coaches, but be ready,'” Dickert said, with his celebratory cigar sitting on the table in front of him.
The Apple Cup was reclaimed by Washington State on Saturday behind three total touchdowns from quarterback John Mateer and a late goal-line stand in a 24-19 win over rival Washington.
Mateer ran for two scores and threw for another, and the Cougars stopped Washington on a fourth-and-goal running play from the 1 with 1:07 remaining to take home the Apple Cup trophy for just the third time since 2008.
It will be housed on the third floor of the Washington State football complex. Dickert would like to keep it there permanently.
“I think we might retire this trophy. I think it's a Pac-12 trophy. I think that might stay in our place a long time and we'll bring a new one next year,” Dickert said.
The realignment chaos of the past year threatened to end the rivalry game with Washington now in the Big Ten and Washington State's Pac-12 uncertainty. The Cougars did find some future security this week with news that the Pac-12 is starting to rebuild thanks to the addition of four schools in 2026.
But winning the game felt more meaningful to the Cougars after being left out in the reshuffling of schools, conferences and allegiances. And while purple may have outnumbered crimson in the crowd for the game played at Lumen Field, the Cougars were the ones celebrating on the field at the end.
“Coach kept saying we worked 9 1/2 months for this moment, just trust our preparation and everything," Mateer said referencing last November's 24-21 loss to the Huskies. “Looking back on those 9 1/2 months to come out here and perform, and it wasn't our best, and we still got it done.”
Mateer ran for touchdowns of 23 and 25 yards and threw a 16-yard touchdown to Josh Meredith in the third quarter that gave the Cougars (3-0) a 24-16 lead. Mateer finished 17 of 34 passing for 245 yards and added 62 yards rushing.
The 25-yard touchdown run came on third-and-20 in the final seconds of the first half and was a significant momentum swing that gave the Cougars a 17-13 halftime lead. The TD capped a 91-yard touchdown drive and Washington State never trailed again.
“End of the half and end of the game, we let up seven points on third-and-20 and we didn't score on fourth-and-1 one the 1. That's the story,” Washington coach Jedd Fisch said.
The fourth-and-1 play Fisch referred to will be debated for a long time in Apple Cup lore. The Huskies reached the Washington State 10 and on third-and-goal, Denzel Boston was forced out at the 1, setting up the final play.
Following a time out, the Huskies called an option play to the short-side of the field and Jonah Coleman had nowhere to go, getting stopped for a 2-yard loss.
“(Washington's) not really a speed option team, for them to run that I was kind of surprised," Washington State defensive lineman Andrew Edson said. "But, you know, we stopped it.”
Coleman, who topped 100 yards rushing in the first two games of the season, was limited to 75 yards on 14 carries. Will Rogers threw for 314 yards and a touchdown for Washington (2-1) and Giles Jackson had eight catches for 162 yards, including a 31-yard TD in the first quarter. But the Huskies were forced to settle for field goals on three trips inside the Washington State 25 and that proved the difference.
“It's never fun losing, especially to a rival, and just kind of feeling the pressure of the success some of my other teammates have had," Rogers said. "I want to win, that's all I really care about.”
Washington State: The Cougars will lament some of their fourth-quarter execution on offense. Mateer threw one interception, nearly threw another, and the Cougars threw incomplete on third-and-10 with 3:46 left. Not only did Washington State not get a first down, but the clock stopped.
Washington: After being fairly clean with penalties the first two games, Washington’s discipline was awful. The Huskies were called for 16 penalties — third-most in school history — for 135 yards. Several were critical calls that kept drives alive for the Cougars.
Washington State: The Cougars will host San Jose State on Friday.
Washington: The Huskies open Big Ten play hosting Northwestern next Saturday.
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A general view of Lumen Field as Washington State plays Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) throws against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington head coach Jedd Fisch looks down at a play sheet during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer (10) runs for a touchdown against Washington defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez (50) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington quarterback Will Rogers (7) throws against Washington State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington wide receiver Giles Jackson, right, celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) against Washington State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington wide receiver Giles Jackson (5) makes a touchdown catch against Washington State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington State running back Wayshawn Parker (21) reacts to making a catch against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
A general view of Lumen Field as Washington State plays Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington State quarterback John Mateer reacts after running for a touchdown as wide receiver Kris Hutson (1) runs to greet him during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
