Wilson, Stewart help U.S. women pull away from Japan in Olympic opener
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson and New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart combined for 46 points as the U.S. women's basketball team beat Japan 102-76 on Monday in a rematch of the gold-medal game three years ago.
Japan hit 11 more threes than the Americans in the contest - Team USA shot an abysmal 20% from downtown - but was bullied in the paint on both ends of the court.
Wilson and Olympic veteran Brittney Griner combined for 10 of the American's 19 offensive rebounds. Griner, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kesley Plum each had 11 points off the bench.
The Japanese were led by Maki Takada, who recorded 24 points. Mai Yamamoto added 17 points and five assists.
Team USA will take on Belgium in its second game of the round robin on Thursday. Japan is set to play Germany on the same day.
The U.S. is seeking an eighth straight gold medal in the event.