2024 Paris Olympics: USA defeats Belgium 87–74 led by Breanna Stewart's 26 points

Belgium put up a fight, but couldn't cut the deficit to single digits once USA build a double figures lead.

Team USA improves to 2–0 in Olympics group play with an 87–74 victory. The U.S. has one more matchup in Group C, facing Germany in the quarterfinals on Saturday before moving to the knockout round of the tournament.

Sabrina Ionescu nails a 3 from the top of the arc to kill any last chance of Belgium getting close with four seconds left.

Antonia Delaere with her third 3-pointer of the fourth quarter to pull Belgium within 10, 80–70

USA picking up its defensive pressure and Belgium has buckled. Two straight turnovers leads to two fast-break layups for Breanna Stewart and a 75–61 lead, Team USA's largest margin of the game.

Stewart has 24 points to lead the U.S.

After her two straight 3s, Antonia Delaere turned the ball over leading to a two-on-one fast break. A'ja Wilson scores to put USA back up by double figures.

Two straight 3-pointers by Antonia Delaere has cut USA's lead to 68–61

Belgium had a good defensive possession, stopping A'ja Wilson in the lane. But the ball worked its way around to Alyssa Thomas for a big 3-pointer to put USA up 66–55.

The U.S. appeared to be taking control of the game in the second quarter, but Belgium came back strong in the third. Team USA's turnovers and poor outside shooting are helping Belgium stay close as we go to the fourth.

Brittney Griner got an offensive rebound and missed the putback, but USA has a significant advantage on the boards. The U.S. is outrebounding Belgium, 41–18, through three quarters.

Emma Meesseman hits a short jumper in the lane, giving her 20 points for Belgium.

Napheesa Collier has settled the game down for the U.S. She's hit two consecutive jumpers – a long 2 and a 3 – to build USA's lead back to 58–47.

USA finally stops Belgium's run with Napheesa Collier finding A'ja Wilson in the lane for a layup. USA 52, Belgium 46 with five minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Belgium making a run, scoring the last six points to cut USA's lead to 50–46. The U.S. is still having difficulty taking care of the ball and turnovers have let Belgium right back in this game.

USA has 15 turnovers thus far.

Emma Meesseman scored four points in this run. She now has 18.

U.S. assistant coach Mike Thibault says the pro-Belgium crowd is "getting the juices going," talking to NBC's Kerith Burke at halftime.

Neither team is shooting well from the outside. Team USA is 22% (2-for-9), while Belgium is shooting 15% (2-for-13).

The United States outscored Belgium 23–15 in the second quarter to take an eight-point lead into halftime.

Breanna Stewart leads Team USA with 15, followed by 10 from A'ja Wilson. Emma Meesseman has 12 for Belgium.

Bench play is the difference thus far. USA has 21 points from the reserves, led by Alyssa Thomas' eight. Maxuella Lisowa-Mbaka has four off Belgium's bench, all on free throws.

Breanna Stewart was on her way to a perfect first half, but finally missed a 3-pointer.

She is 6-for-7 from the field, 1-for-2 on 3s and 2-for-2 from the free-throw line for 15 points.

Team USA's depth is starting to wear Belgium down. The bench is making a big difference with Jewell Loyd scoring the last five points. Alyssa Thomas has eight, Brittney Griner with six.

The rest of the USA lineup is starting to pick it up. A'ja Wilson scored inside, followed by a 3-pointer from Jewell Loyd, pushing the U.S. to a 40–29 lead with 4:46 remaining in the second quarter.

Emma Meesseman has taken over the scoring load for Belgium after Julie Vanloo gave USA problems in the first quarter. She now has 10 points midway through the second quarter.

USA is pulling away just a bit, building an 8-point lead, 35–27. Alyssa Thomas providing a spark off the bench to give Breanna Stewart some scoring help.

Emma Meesseman hits a jumper from the corner as the U.S. is again slow on its defensive rotations, closing out on shooters.

Turnovers were a problem for Team USA in the first quarter with five. They had 12 total in their last game vs. Japan. That's certainly helping Belgium stay competitive.

Team USA has a battle on their hands after the first quarter.

Breanna Stewart has 11, but hasn't found offense from anyone else yet. Julie Vanloo leads Belgium with seven points, but they're spreading the scoring load around more.

USA ties the game 23–23 on the fast break with Alyssa Thomas finding Sabrina Ionescu on the wing for a layup.

Belgium takes a 20–17 lead on the second consecutive 3-pointer from Julie Vanloo, who plays for the WNBA's Washington Mystics. USA has to look out there.

Julie Vanloo ties the score 17–17 with a 3-pointer for Belgium as the crowd roars

Beautiful no-look pass from Chelsea Gray to Breanna Stewart for a 10–8 USA lead!