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Olympics: US women’s basketball team wins their 50th straight game, beating Nigeria 81-72 in the opener

SAITAMA, JAPAN — The U.S. women won, as usual. It just wasn’t in the dominant fashion that the Americans are accustomed to.

The winning streak for the world’s top-ranked team is now 50 games and counting in Olympic competition. A’ja Wilson scored 19 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in her debut as the Americans beat Nigeria 81-72 on Tuesday in the opener for both teams.

It was the first time that a team had come within single digits of the U.S. since a four-point win over Russia in the semifinals of 2004 Athens Games.

Sue Bird has been a part of the past five Olympics and wasn’t too concerned by the final margin.