LILLE, France -- The United States women's basketball team is likely to get stronger as the Olympics wear on, as it builds chemistry and gets some reps playing together. But, in the meantime, it sure is a luxury to have superior size.

The Americans leaned into that advantage in their Olympics opener, bruising the smaller Japan team in a 102-76 victory in a rematch of the 2021 gold medal game in Tokyo. They are now 56-0 in the Olympics since 1992 as they take the first step toward winning their eighth consecutive gold.

Japan's tallest player stands 6-foot-1, and Team USA has six players that height or taller. That differential was the defining aspect of the game.

Team USA racked up an impressive 64 points in the paint, repeatedly getting into positions for entry passes or offensive rebounds that punished the smaller opponent.

A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart took turns going to work in in the interior. Wilson was relentless in looking for her shot and chasing loose balls, making 10-of-16 shots for 24 points and adding 13 rebounds, six of them coming on the offensive end. She also had four blocks.

Stewart, as is one of her trademarks, was able to generate easy looks by running the floor and getting free in transition by just outrunning the Japanese defenders. She made 11-of-15 shots for 22 points plus eight rebounds. She also had two blocks.

Add in Britney Griner, who made 5-of-7 shots and had 11 points and nine rebounds, and the U.S. frontline was simply too much to handle.

Chelsea Gray was the initiator, cutting through the Japanese defense to open passing lanes and set up her teammates. She finished with 13 assists, just one off the American Olympic record. It was part of an overall strong ball movement game as they finished with 34 assists.

Team USA was cold from the outside, making just one of their first 13 3-pointers, which briefly allowed the outside shooting specialists from Japan a chance to stay in the game. The Japanese nailed nine 3-pointers in the first half as they stayed within 10 points until late in the second quarter.

Japan was led by Maki Takada's 22 points.