Good as gold: US women win 6th straight Olympic hoops title
The dominant U.S. women's basketball team did what was expected, winning a sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal and doing it in impressive fashion.
Taurasi and the Americans played nearly flawless basketball in Rio, and were never challenged.
Even with that kind of sustained success by some very talented U.S. teams, this may be the best women's basketball squad ever assembled.
When you're around these players and you're around Sue (Bird)and Diana and Tamika (Catchings), and you know that this maybe their last and you're able to send them out, it's like graduating seniors back home, Auriemma said.
There's just a lot of emotions running through our team and running through our locker room.
Unlike their semifinal win over France when the Americans looked discombobulated for a half, the U.S. was more fluid offensively.
The four-time gold medalist and team captain missed the semifinal game with a sprained right knee capsule.
By the time Lindsay Whalen's layup just beat the halftime buzzer, the U.S. led 49-32 and Spain had just two baskets in the final 6:55 of the half.
Even with the loss, Spain earned its first Olympic medal in women's basketball.
The Spaniards have been on the rise lately, also winning a silver medal at the 2014 world championship.
Even if the three players don't wear the red, white and blue again, the future remains bright for the U.S. Elena Delle Donne, Brittney Griner and Stewart all won their first Olympic golds.