Becky Hammon got her wish to play in the Olympics. Going home with a bronze medal is a bonus.
The U.S.-born WNBA standout scored 22 points to help Russia beat host China 94-81 Saturday night, giving the Russians the bronze for the second straight games.
Maria Stepanova added 15 points for the Russians, who had their offense moving well all night and led by double-digits most of the way against the host Chinese and their vocal home-country crowd.
“It’s a great ending to the experience,” she said. “I think it’s how it should be with the United States and Australians playing for the gold. They were the best teams. We played our best basketball at the end. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made and getting to know these girls.”
The Chinese had a much better offensive showing than in their 90-56 loss to Australia in the semifinals. They shot 55 percent for the game and knocked down plenty of the open looks they missed against the Aussies, but they never managed to slow the Russians at the other end.
Chen Nan scored 26 points for China, which was trying to win its first women’s basketball medal since taking home silver in Barcelona in 1992. Its only other medal was the bronze in Los Angeles 24 years ago.
Still, it was China’s best showing in the Olympics since Barcelona. The Chinese had finished ninth in 1996 and 2004, and didn’t qualify for Sydney in 2000.
“That’s as good as we can play,” China coach Tom Maher said. “We lost to Russia, Australia and the U.S., who are the best three teams in the world, so we have nothing to be ashamed about.”
With both teams shooting nearly 60 percent for most of the first half, Russia managed to slowly build its margin by going to the perimeter, which was a struggle in the loss to the Americans.
She later banked in a 3-pointer over Song Xiaoyun as she was bumped to the ground in the final minute of the half, helping the Russians take a 52-37 lead just before the break.
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