USA women's 3x3 team had a controversial OT loss to Spain and fans ripped the refs
The U.S. will not be playing for a gold medal, and fans are FURIOUS.
The U.S. women’s 3×3 team will not be playing for a gold medal, and to be honest, that’s kind of awful.
I’ll say it again: I did not expect the women’s 3×3 team to win a gold medal. They started the tournament slowly, and soon, it was pretty obvious why they were so bad. But, after losing their first three games, they rattled off five consecutive wins (including a matchup with a nasty Rhyne Howard shot) and really turned the tide on expectations.
Soon, many fans started to wonder if they could actually win it all. Sadly, the answer was no, as the U.S. fell to Spain in overtime Monday. But it didn’t happen the way many thought it would.
We fall in OT.
A bronze medal is on the line at 3 pm ET. pic.twitter.com/PHFWoD1ccI
— USA Basketball 3×3 (@usab3x3) August 5, 2024
Many basketball lovers were furious over the way the game was officiated. They took to social media to call out what they felt were egregious calls that influenced the outcome of the matchup.
Here’s what they shared:
I try not to make excuses when it comes to basketball outcomes, HOWEVER; THE REFS WERE ABSOLUTELY DESPICABLE! No way a medal game should end like that. https://t.co/iujUIU6Lqg
— r. (@R_12Nele) August 5, 2024
Turns out it was actually 3×4 basketball for USA.
Horrendous officiating as Spain is gifted over half its points via free throw. Heartbreaking loss for the Americans. They go for bronze this afternoon https://t.co/7n1xVaXmBQ
— Frogs O’ War (@FrogsOWar) August 5, 2024
I have absolutely no words for these refs.
Actually I have a lot of words.
None that maintain my journalistic integrity.
— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) August 5, 2024
These refs for the 3×3 are trash. They don’t want us playing for gold I swear
— Whitly
TTPD Personality Hire
(@wistfullywhitly) August 5, 2024
these refs clearly had an agenda shading the USA women’s 3×3 team today! #rigged
— itsskaylaa (@shehoops12_) August 5, 2024
Can’t believe how bad the officiating was in this #3×3 match. Team USA got absolutely robbed by the refs whistle today. Smh
— Teran Johnson (@TeranJSports) August 5, 2024