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American women rout Senegal 121-56 to start chase for gold

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) The U.S. women have started their run for a sixth straight Olympic gold medal in basketball in record-setting fashion.

The Americans scored their most points ever in beating Senegal 121-56 Sunday, while also notching their largest margin of victory in the Olympics in topping the 60-point win over Zaire in 1996 in Atlanta.

They also won their 42nd straight Olympic game, easily handling an African nation still looking for its first victory in its second Olympics.

Diana Taurasi finished with 15, all on 3s.

The Americans led 35-9 after the first quarter with Taurasi shooting so well. Senegal got a boost from local fans embraced the underdog, cheering every shot. It didn't help as the United States led 64-21 at halftime and 94-38 after the third. That left only the final margin in doubt.

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