U.S. routs Greece in women's basketball

By KEVIN TRESOLINI

Gannett News Service

ATHENS, Greece - The United States' march toward a medal in women's basketball met minimal resistance Wednesday at the Summer Olympics.

Greece gamely challenged the U.S. early in their quarterfinal confrontation at the Olympic Indoor Hall but could not keep up the pace in a 102-72 loss to the Americans witnessed by 8,100 fans.

The United States advanced to Friday's semifinals against Russia, which trounced the Czech Republic 70-49 in that quarterfinal.

The win was the United States' 23rd in a row and 38th in the last 39 in Olympic play. The U.S. is seeking its third consecutive gold medal and fifth in the last six Games.

"Anything other than Gold will be a failure," U.S. forward Tina Thompson said.

The Greeks, supported by a boisterous partisan crowd, stayed with the Americans early. They trailed just 19-17 after Evanthia Maltsi sank a 3-pointer with 2:33 left in the first quarter.

But the Americans' superior size, depth and athletic ability quickly took its toll. A 22-4 run put the Americans ahead by 20, and Greece's remote shot at an upset was quelled.

"The crowd was great today," said U.S. guard Diana Taurasi, who had 13 points in a team-high 25 minutes. "Whenever a team feels energy from the crowd, they play above their heads, and Greece did that today. Teams like that just don't go away. So if you jump on them early, take the crowd out of it, get a groove going ... that's what we did."

The U.S. led 55-34 at halftime and 76-53 after three periods. Backup point guard Shannon Johnson scored 14 consecutive U.S. points in the fourth quarter en route to a team-high 21 as the Americans pulled away.

"I struggled a lot in the first round and I was very disappointed from my performances," said Johnson, a former South Carolina player now with the WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars. "Today my coach gave me playing time, and my teammates showed confidence in me. That's why I played my best game of the tournament."

Johnson had averaged 2.4 points in the first five U.S. games.

Thompson added 21 points as the U.S. put six scorers in double figures, shot 50 percent from the floor (42 for 84) and enjoyed a 44-22 rebounding advantage that contributed to 21 second-chance points. Yolanda Griffith had 11 rebounds.

Greece shot 49 percent (26 for 53) from the field.

"I have to compliment the Greek team," said U.S. coach Van Chancellor. "They did some great things today. They created many problems for us on defense, maybe the most of any team that we have played since 2002."

Greece guard Anastasia Kostaki, twice cut by WNBA teams, scored a game-high 26 points.

"I am very glad that we played against this team," Kostaki said. "We will probably never again have that chance. We played hard. We are not as tall as them, so it was hard."

Once Chancellor began substituting with fresh players, Greece wilted. The U.S. is down to 11 players the rest of the tournament, since Katie Smith is out with a knee injury. But it didn't make a difference Wednesday.

"That's awesome for us," Tamika Catchings said of the U.S. depth. "From one to 12, we're all effective players, and we're all great players back in the WNBA. To have that confidence in one another, even though you might be on the court or you might be sitting on the bench, I think it's great that we have that cohesiveness and we play so well together."