Belgium players on bench celebrate scoring by a teammate during women's basketball preliminary round game against Puerto Rico at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
SAITAMA, Japan (AP) - Emma Meesseman had 26 points and 15 rebounds to help Belgium rout Puerto Rico 87-52 on Friday in a matchup of Olympic newcomers.
Belgium (2-0) has made the most of its first Olympic appearance so far winning both of its games by double digits.
The team led 12-10 in the opening quarter before going on a 20-8 run spanning the first two periods to take command of the game. The Belgian Cats led 43-24 at the half as Hanne Mestdagh made four of her six 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes. She finished with 18 points.
Belgium captain Ann Wauters saw her first Olympic action and scored a basket. The 40-year-old has been the face of the sport in the country for many years. She was the first player from Belgium to get drafted to the WNBA, going first overall in 2000 to the Cleveland Rockers.
Jazmon Gwathmey scored 20 points to lead Puerto Rico (0-2).
Belgium's Hanne Mestdagh (22), left, and Puerto Rico's Michelle Gonzalez (91) fight for the ball during women's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The Associated Press
Belgium's head coach Philip Mestdagh gestures during women's basketball preliminary round game between Belgium and Puerto Rico at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
Puerto Rico's Isalys Quinones (25), left, moves the ball up court during women's basketball preliminary round game against Belgium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
Puerto Rico's Dayshalee Salaman (12), center, passes to a teammate during women's basketball preliminary round game against Belgium at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The Associated Press
Belgium's Julie Vanloo (35), left, offers help to Puerto Rico's Jazmon Gwathmey (24) during women's basketball preliminary round game between Belgium and Puerto Rico at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press
Puerto Rico's head coach Gerardo Batista Santiago reacts during women's basketball preliminary round game between Belgium and Puerto Rico at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
The Associated Press
Belgium players on bench celebrate scoring by a teammate during women's basketball preliminary round game against Puerto Rico at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Associated Press