The third game was against Zaire . While the first two games were in the compact Morehouse College gym , filled to capacity with under 5,000 spectators , the third game would be in the Georgia Dome . VanDerveer expect more fans , but was n't expecting 31,320 , representing the largest crowd in history to witness a women 's basketball game . Although it was a home crowd , VanDerveer was happy that the opponent was Zaire , in case the size of the crowd made them nervous . Zaire was over-matched , and the USA team won 107 – 47 , ensuring a place in the medal rounds . The next game was against Australia , one of the stronger teams in the field . The game was the first game played by Team USA after the bombing incident which left the team with little sleep . The attendance set a new record , with 33,952 spectators . The game was close for much of the game , with no team leading by more than six points until late in the second half , when Team USA extended the margin and won 96 – 79 . The next game was against Japan . With no Japanese player over six feet tall ( 1.83 m ) , Team USA had a height advantage . The USA exploited the advantage , and opened up a 28-point lead , but Japan fought back with three-point shooting and cut the lead to 13 at one point . The final margin was 15 points , the closest game to that point
bombing incident
Centennial Olympic Park bombing
Tara VanDerveer