Team USA’s women’s basketball team only just held off France to win the gold medal on Sunday, escaping with a 67-66 win that was just inches away from being sent into overtime.
The Americans had a three-point lead as the French brought the ball back down the floor with 3.8 seconds to go. France’s best player on the day, Gabby Williams, got the ball and charged down court.
As Williams approached the three-point line, she launched a running shot and hit it off the glass as the buzzer sounded. But incredibly, her foot was just on the line – making it only count as two.
Team USA takes home its eighth straight gold medal in Olympic women’s basketball.
It was a heartbreaking way for the game to end for the home nation. The crowd at Bercy Arena had been raucous throughout the game, the last athletic contest being played as a part of these Summer Olympics.
The French had helped bring an incredible atmosphere to all the competitions, but the basketball finals Saturday night and Sunday afternoon had been ramped up even further.
