US, Australia storm into women's basketball quarters
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-08-23 09:12

Sydney Olympic champions the United States and Australia stormed into the quarter-finals of the Athens Olympic women's basketball tournament after winning each preliminary group with 5-0 record.

The Americans, also the reigning world titlists, beat Asian champions China 100-62 on Sunday to finish top of Group B with five straight wins. They will play on Wednesday with hosts Greece, who clinched the last berth in the top eight with a thrilling 93-91 victory over Group A opponent Japan earlier on Sunday, in the quarter-finals.

"Obviously we won the game because of our defense," said American head coach Van Chancellor. "We held China to 62 points."

China shot just 19-for-53 from the field while the United States was 44-for-85.

The United States played a strong inside game by outscoring China 74-22 in the paint. The Chinese were also outrebounded 46-20.

Diana Taurasi came from the bench to score 19 points for the United States with Lisa Leslie adding 17 points and eight rebounds.

The Chinese, who came in fifth in Group B with one win against four losses, will play Japan on Tuesday in the 9th-10th decider.

Also in Group B, the Czech Republic delivered New Zealand 74-57 and Spain nipped South Korea 64-61.

Spain finished second in the group with a 4-1 record, followed by the Czech Republic (3-2) and New Zealand (2-3).

By beating Brazil 84-66 on Sunday to win Group A with an unbeaten record, Sydney Olympic silver medallist Australia appeared to be the only real challenger to the United States on its way to a third straight Olympic gold medal.

Australia used a 13-2 run to take the lead 53-43 in the third quarter and improved to 73-57 early in the fourth.

"It was a tough game, but we won easily at the end because we were concentrated and played very good defense against a very good offensive team," said Belinda Snell, who had eight rebounds, sevenpoints, three assists and three steals for Australia.

The Australians will play New Zealand in the quarter-finals.

Russia trounced Nigeria 93-58 to finish second in Group A and set up a quarter-final clash with the Czech Republic while Brazil, third finisher from Group A with three wins and two losses, will play Spain in the other quarter-final.

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