USA vs. Spain: 2016 Olympic Women's Basketball Gold-Medal Game Score, Reaction

The United States overcame a slow start to defeat Spain 101-72 Saturday in Rio de Janeiro and clinch its sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal in women's basketball.

Diana Taurasi and Lindsay Whalen led the way for Team USA with 17 points each, while Alba Torrens put up a game-high 18 points for Spain, which made history in a losing effort, as it won a medal for the first time in Olympic women's basketball by taking silver.

Taurasi, Sue Bird and Tamika Catchings all became gold medalists for the fourth time, which tied an Olympic record shared by Teresa Edwards and Lisa Leslie. 

Per ESPN Women's Hoops, the win also extended an impressive Olympic winning streak that dates back to 1992:

By scoring 101 points, Team USA matched a feat it had accomplished just once before in a gold-medal game, according to USA Basketball:

While the final score line was lopsided in favor of the Americans, things were tight in the early going, as Team USA struggled offensively in the first quarter.

The United States led just 21-17 after the opening quarter due largely to an inability to make free throws, as pointed out by Levi Verora Jr. of SlamOnlinePH.com:

"

#ESP fortunate #USA is missing its foul shots. Switching on defense is impeccable, one of team's strengths. Let's see if they can sustain

— LVJ (@levijoshua) August 20, 2016"

The first quarter wasn't pretty, as both teams opted to grind it out and focus on a physical brand of basketball.

ESPN.com's Johnette Howard believed that style would favor the United States over the long haul:

Spain was in the game after the first quarter due in large part to Torrens' 10 points, but the momentum shifted more in Team USA's favor when the stars began to shine.

Chief among them were Taurasi and Maya Moore, who knocked down a pair of three-pointers each and helped balloon the lead to 49-32 by halftime.

Per Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post, the Americans went on a dominant scoring run that essentially put the game out of reach for Spain prior to the midway point:

The fact the United States started hitting shots in the second quarter was a significant factor in taking control of the contest, but Verora believed Breanna Stewart's defensive acumen was key as well:

"

Stewart at the 4 took away #ESP's penetration. So versatile against the ball screens.

— LVJ (@levijoshua) August 20, 2016"

Eleven of Team USA's 12 players had scored by halftime, which represented a depth of talent that Spain couldn't match.

That became even more evident in the third quarter, as the Americans outscored the Spaniards 32-17 and held a commanding 32-point advantage entering the final quarter of play.

The U.S. lead would have been even greater if not for Spain's Silvia Dominguez beating the buzzer from half court.

According to Verora, even Team USA head coach Geno Auriemma couldn't help but react positively to the impressive shot:

"

You know this game is already in the bag coz Geno even smiled after Dominguez hit the halfcourt heave

— LVJ (@levijoshua) August 20, 2016"

With the Americans just 10 minutes away from gold prior to the start of the fourth quarter, two-time Olympic gold medalist Kobe Bryant gave a shoutout to the Team USA women:

The game was all but decided through three quarters of play, which took some of the competitiveness out of the equation in the fourth. Spain outscored Team USA 23-20 in the final frame. 

The United States dominated nearly every major statistical category, shooting 59 percent to Spain's 40 percent and also out-rebounding the Spaniards by a 51-28 margin.

Team USA entered the 2016 Summer Olympics as the heavy favorite, boasting perhaps the greatest collection of talent ever in women's basketball, and the weight of those expectations did little to hinder its performance.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter.