Sonic boom: Analysis of Team USA’s pummeling of Senegal

Rio de Janiero, Brazil - Team USA (1-0) began their quest for six Olympic gold medals on Sunday facing Senegal (0-1) for the first time since the 1974 World Games. This time around wouldn't be any different, as the red, white, and blue shattered their all-time scoring record of 114 points, which was set back in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Team USA dominated in all 40 minutes of play, accounting for six players to finish in double-digits, as they marched to a 121-53 win. The 65-point victory margin would be the largest in U.S Olympic history, previously set at 60.

Diana Taurasi called for rain early in the first period when she caught fire from the three-point line hitting four straight shots that would eventually set her up to tie a record of her own. Taurasi finished the game with 15 points, shooting 5-of-7 from three-point range - good enough to match her U.S Olympic single-game record for three's made in a game at five.

The efficient ball movement for Team USA opened up the floor both inside-and-out, allowing for 66 points to be scored in the paint. The U.S shot 65 percent from the field and dished out 36 assists guided by veteran point guard Sue Bird’s eight.

Breanna Stewart and Brittney Griner made their Olympic debuts in great fashion, finishing with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Stewart came off the bench sparking Team USA with a burst of offensive production knocking down 5-of-6 of her shots but the offensive end wasn't the only thing going for the U.S.

Their man-to-man coverage forced 27 turnovers holding Senegal to a 35 percent shooting percentage.

Sylvia Fowles helped out with 15 points and tied a game-high seven rebounds. Angel McCoughtry and Elena Delle Donne both pitched in 11 points each.

The U.S women continue preliminary round play against Spain at 11 a.m. ET on August 8.