USA Basketball vs. Senegal 2016 Rio Olympics final score: Team USA sets an Olympic scoring record in 121-56 win

Breaking its Olympic scoring record, the USA demolished Senegal, 121-56, in the team’s opening game in Rio. The 65-point win was Team USA’s largest margin of victory ever in Olympic play. The game was just as ugly as it sounds.

A 16-2 run in the game’s opening four minutes painted the picture as Diana Taurasi sent three three-pointers through the net in the run and a fourth later in the quarter. Tantalizing defense from her Phoenix Mercury teammate Brittney Griner, who earned the unexpected start, kept the paint on lock as she blocked a pair of shots and altered any attempts close to the rim. She was a focal point in the Americans’ offense as well catching the ball around the hoop and keeping the ball up high above smaller Senegal defenders.

Team USA took a 64-21 lead into the half, with 11 of 12 players scoring on a blistering 70 percent shooting. Sue Bird was the only American not to score, but played an all-important role as the team’s only true point guard. She dished seven assists, one of which came on a play that clearly sums up Bird’s mentality. With an open lane Bird opted to lob the ball up to Olympic newcomer Breanna Stewart rather than lay it in herself. That example from the veteran in her fourth Olympics lead to 17 first-half assists on 26 made field goals for Team USA in the half.

Bigs dominated through the second half as Team USA built onto a 94-38 lead. Sylvia Fowles finished with 15 points and 9 rebounds off the bench on 6-of-8 shooting and Tina Charles added 10 points. As a team they connected on an unreal 65.7 percent shooting.

Senegal was simply outmatched at every position, and Team USA was able to score inside and out at will.

The Americans should get a tougher test against Spain on Monday at 11:00 a.m. ET.

Three observations
1. Brittney Griner should start every game

Geno Auriemma’s starting lineup was unclear until minutes before tipoff, and despite not starting in any of Team USA’s exhibition games, Griner got the nod against Senegal. It was immediately evident that she was the biggest difference-maker on both sides of the ball as she defended the hoop without having to even leave her feet much. She finished on the offensive end with ease as well, putting up relatively uncontested layups. Griner finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.

She is really what makes this version of Team USA better than its last. Her presence was enough to deter some Senegal players from driving the lane, and with her hands straight in the air it’s tough for some of her opponents to clearly see the hoop. Griner should continue to see this amount of time on the floor as long as she avoids foul trouble.

2. Things get easy when Diana Taurasi starts off hot

Maybe Senegal watched more recent tape of Taurasi in the WNBA where she isn’t shooting quite as well as we’re used to, but there’s really no excuse for how open she was in the opening quarter. As Taurasi often does, she made them pay by raining four first-quarter threes, halfway to Team USA’s record which she’s hit in each of her three other Olympic appearances. She finished with 15 points.

With Taurasi loose and demanding more attention on the perimeter the ball was able to move more on the inside and open up looks for Griner and Tina Charles in the starting lineup.

3. The Americans are the frontrunners yet again, but commanded a ton of boos

Senegal was getting absolutely crushed from the get-go, but that didn’t stop the crowd from erupting in cheers whenever they scored. It should be a common theme as Team USA is on its way to a sixth straight gold.