Geno Auriemma, head coach of the U.S. women's national basketball team, talks to his team during the second half of the game at Galen Center on July 25, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Out of the gate sluggishly, the U.S. led by only one point at halftime, 32-31, but found its rhythm in the third quarter behind Maya Moore’s scoring. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist scored seven of her 13 points in the third to help the U.S. push its lead to 63-46 by the end of the period.
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Fellow 2012 Olympic teammate Tina Charles led all scorers with 17 points. Three-time Olympic gold medalist Diana Taurasi added 10 points, as did Elena Delle Donne, who was playing on her collegiate home court after graduating from Delaware in 2013. Four players had five rebounds to lead the team: Charles, Moore, Sue Bird and Sylvia Fowles. Bird, another player in search of her fourth straight gold medal, also was credited with eight of the 21 U.S. assists. Marine Johannes led France in scoring with 13 points, followed by 10 from Endy Miyem.
The Americans outrebounded France 38-27 and converted 18 of their 21 free throw attempts. France made two trips to the charity stripe and made both.
The pre-Olympic exhibition tour continues Friday, July 29, when Team USA faces Canada at 7 p.m. ET at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The tour concludes on Sunday, July 31, when the U.S. faces Australia at 4 p.m. ET in Madison Square Garden. Canada and the United States will compete in Group B at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and will face each other on Friday, Aug. 12.
