US Women Hoops Rout Senegal 121-56 in Record Fashion

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Diana Taurasi and the U.S. women's basketball team opened their Olympics with a record rout in Rio.

The Americans were not expected to be challenged on Sunday by Senegal, and the only real suspense was how many records they would set. When it ended, they had set three Olympic marks: points scored in a game, margin of victory and assists. The players and the US coaching staff were happy with how the team set the records.

With a team of WNBA MVPs and All-Stars, the Americans constantly made the extra pass on offense that led to open shots or layups in the 121-56 victory. Sue Bird had eight of the team's US record 36 assists.

"When we move the ball like that and the ball doesn't get stuck and the defense has to guard us at all five spots on the floor, that's just a tough task for anybody," U.S. coach Geno Auriemma said. "Especially in the first half we shot the lights out, we shot great. ... It was really fun."

Well, maybe not for everyone.

The Brazilian fans tried to spur on the African country, cheering loudly every time they scored and booing the U.S. when the Americans had the ball. The fans even shouted down a brief U.S. chant with a Senegal one.