France forward Gabby Williams (15). John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

France was inches away from forcing OT against Team USA

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Aug 11, 2024 12:29 PM ET

France came just inches away from forcing overtime against Team USA in the gold-medal game of the women’s Olympic basketball tournament on Sunday.

Team USA beat France 67-66 in Paris to win a record eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal. The Americans were leading 65-61 when Gabby Williams hit a three-pointer for France to cut the lead to 65-64 with 4.9 seconds remaining. France then quickly fouled, and Kahleah Copper made both of her free throws to give Team USA a 67-64 lead.

On the ensuing possession, Williams got a shot off just before the final buzzer sounded. The basket was good, but Williams was just inside the three-point line when she let the ball go. That ended the game at 67-66.

UNBELIEVABLE ENDING IN PARIS.

Gabby Williams banked it in at the buzzer but her FOOT WAS ON THE THREE-POINT LINE. TEAM USA WINS BY A SINGLE POINT.#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/DJI7YxfVMl

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 11, 2024

Team USA trailed for much of the game but finally put things together in the fourth quarter. Had Williams let her buzzer-beater go a fraction of a second sooner, the outcome may have been different.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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