United States crushes Senegal to open women's hoops play

RIO DE JANEIRO -- 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 on Sunday while also notching their largest margin of victory in the Olympics, topping a 60-point win over Zaire in 1996 in Atlanta.

The U.S. won its 42nd straight Olympic game, easily handling an African nation still looking for its first victory in its second Olympics.

Diana Taurasi finished with 15 points, all on 3s.

The Americans led 35-9 after the first quarter. Senegal got a boost as 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 quarter, leaving only the final margin in doubt.