The United States women's basketball team, who have not lost an international match for more than 12 years, swept to a third successive world title on Sunday with a 73-56 victory over Australia at the 2018 FIBA Women's World Cup.
The six-time Olympic champions also took their winning streak to 51 matches. And in the match for third place, European champions Spain defeated Belgium 67-60.
The Americans, with coach Dawn Staley at the helm for the first time, have now won the world championship 10 times in 18 editions.
Sunday's final was billed as a clash between two players both of whom tower over two meters - Brittney Griner of the US (2.06m) and Australian star Liz Cambage (2.03m).
It was Griner's night as Cambage, who had scored 33 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the semi-final win against Spain on Saturday, saw her threat neutralized by the Americans' impressive defense which allowed her only seven points.
"A lot of people see that we've won a lot of games in a row now and gold medals but it's not as easy as it looks," said 37-year-old US star Sue Bird.
"We take a lot of pride in the way we play and a lot of credit goes to the other countries because if they continue to get better they will just continue to push us to get better and that's what it's all about."
China end campaign with disappointing loss
Meanwhile, despite a strong start, China lost to France 81-67 to finish sixth place. Captain Shao Ting scored 16 points and Li Meng chipped in with 12 points.
China teared up France's sluggish defense to build a 12-5 lead six minutes into the match, including six points from Li Meng, forcing opponents into a timeout.
Shao Ting's two baskets spearheaded another 11-0 run for China to set the score 25-11 later on, but France, the world No. 3 team, snatched eight of following ten points to trail 19-27 as the first quarter ran out.
China just nailed one point through Han Xu's free throw in more than eight minutes, seeing their eight-point relinquished following a 16-1 run by France. Sun Mengran snapped that slid with a driving layup with 1:25 remaining to commence a 6-0 run, while seven turnovers in the quarter cost them 37-36 down into the halftime.
At 50-49 down, France scored the final 12 points late in the third quarter, capped by Romane Bernies' three-point play.
China never came closer than 14 points throughout the final 10 minutes, tying their result four years ago.
"I had never thought that we would have started the match so strongly. France are among world top four. They pressed on us quite hard, thus inducing our mistakes afterward," said China's head coach Xu Limin.
"We didn't give up in the last quarter. Opponents are stronger than us, but we have tried to bridge the gap. That will be more precious than the victory itself," added Xu.
Earlier on Sunday, Canada finished seventh after edging Nigeria 73-72. Despite the loss, Nigeria had already made history, becoming the first African team into the World Cup quarterfinals.