The U.S. men's basketball team faced France for the second time at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday, only this time, there was gold on the line.

A historically dominant force in international basketball, the United States had struggled in Tokyo – and even before it. In July, it lost exhibition matches against Nigeria and Australia. Then in the opening game of Olympic pool play, it lost 83-76 to France.   

After a semifinal win over the Aussies, though, something finally clicked for the American squad. Milwaukee Bucks star Jrue Holiday and Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker, who were busy with the NBA Finals during the U.S. exhibitions, have supplemented an offense that's been carried by Olympic veteran Kevin Durant.

The U.S. defeated France in the rematch Saturday, 87-82, to win the gold medal.  

The United States has now won 16 gold medals since men's basketball was added to the Olympic slate in 1936 and five of the six this century. USA Basketball's only blemish was a loss to Argentina in the 2004 semifinals in Athens before the team came back to beat Lithuania for bronze.