2012 Olympics, Women's Basketball Gold Medal Game: Candace Parker Leads USA To 86-50 Win Over France

For the fifth consecutive Olympics, the United States women's basketball team has captured the gold medal. Candace Parker had 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead Team USA to a 86-50 win over France on Saturday in what was a battle of undefeated teams.

Team USA has won 41 consecutive games in Olympic play.

Parker scored 15 of her 21 points and grabbed nine of her 11 rebounds in the first half as Team USA held a 37-25 lead at halftime. A 26-12 advantage in the third quarter all but put the game away.

Diana Taurasi, who led Team USA during Olympic play by scoring 12.4 points per game, added nine points in the win. Sue Bird added 11 points and three assists.

Taurasi, Bird, and Tamika Catchings, the three team captains, each won their third consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Team USA was 8-0 during Olympic play, matching their record in the 2008, 2004, 2000, and 1996 Olympic games. The Americans won their eight games by an average score of 91-56. Their closest game throughout Olympic play was an 86-73 win over Argentina in the semifinals on Thursday.

Parker, the former University of Tennessee star and currently a forward for the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks, averaged 10.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game during the Olympics.

Sandrine Gruda led France with 12 points in the loss.

For more news and information on the 2012 London Olympics, be sure to read SB Nation's Olympic Hub.