USA Women’s National Team Runs Away With 93-58 Victory Over Russia

HAINING, China (Aug. 4, 2008) -- Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury) scored 21 points, Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky) added 15 and Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks) contributed 12 as the 2008 USA Basketball Women's National Team (2-0) defeated rival Russia (0-2) 93-58 at the 2008 FIBA Diamond Ball Tournament on Monday night in Haining, China.

The win sets up a championship game tomorrow night (7:30 p.m. EDT) against defending world champion Australia (2-0), which, as expected, had no problem putting away Mali (0-2) 112-43 in today's earlier game.

"I thought we were in a total rhythm tonight offensively and it was predicated off our defense," said USA head coach Anne Donovan, a three-time Olympian. "We were aggressive defensively, we got after it, and therefore our transition to our offense really was aggressive as well. So, I was pleased. This really was a great game for us."

The U.S. never trailed in the game, running out to a 9-2 lead in the opening minutes, and by the end of the first quarter the red, white and blue was up 17-10.

Russia struck first in the second quarter, but Tina Thompson (Houston Comets) hit a bucket, Sue Bird (Seattle Storm) swished in a pair from the charity stripe and Katie Smith (Detroit Shock) found the bottom of the net from afar to open up a 24-13 advantage with 7:39 to go before halftime. A lapse in the USA defense allowed a Russian field goal at the 7:18 mark, but that would be the final field goal for the Europeans for the ensuing 7:15.

Improving on its defensive effort after just four practices and one game, the USA took advantage on the offensive end. Thompson converted on an offensive board at 7:04, sparking a 19-2 run that blew the game wide open, 43-17, with 31 seconds to play before the break. The run was an impressive all-around showing as six players scored, including Taurasi, who scored two from the line, nailed a 3-pointer and hit a jumper during that span.

By halftime the U.S. had the game well in hand, 43-19.

"We just wanted to get some things done that we didn't do yesterday," said Taurasi. "Coach Donovan talked about it before the game, and we were just trying to accomplish those goals. We did a pretty good job of putting 40 minutes together of just hard basketball, and that's what we are trying to accomplish every time we step on the court."

The Americans pulled further away to start the second half, thanks in part to a pair of threes from Taurasi and Smith that made it a 30-point game, 53-23, with 6:45 to go. Russia's long ball began to fall as the opponents hit five straight and capped their third quarter scoring with a basket from Tatiana Schegoleva that narrowed the game to 59-40 at 2:34. But that was as close as the Russians would get as the U.S. lead was simply too much to overcome. Parker swished six-of-six from the line, and Fowles got a put-back and at the end of three it was the USA 67-40.

From there the Americans cruised through the fourth quarter, outscoring the Russian women 26-18 to cap the night.

"As a team obviously last night against Latvia we came out and we weren't playing as intensive defense as we could," said Parker. "Tonight we came out and played much better, full-court, up in your face defense for 40 minutes, and I think that's why we were able to win."

Every member of the team scored against Russia, and in addition to the scoring efforts of Fowles, Parker and Taurasi; Kara Lawson (Sacramento Monarchs) was credited for team-highs of four steals and three assists; while Thompson grabbed a team-best six boards to go with eight points. Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix Mercury) and Smith also tossed in eight points.

Improving on its defense from its Aug. 3 contest against Latvia, the U.S. had 18 steals and forced 26 Russian turnovers, while outrebounding its foes by a whopping 42-26 margin. The Americans also held Russia to a frigid 37.1 percent (23-62 FGs) shooting from the field, while connecting on a red-hot 58.3 percent (35-60 FGs) of its tries.

Schegoleva, who hit all four of her shots from beyond the arc, including three in the third quarter, was Russia's high scorer with 14 points.

"I think Australia has been playing great basketball. When you look at Australia right now, you can tell they have been together for a while," commented Donovan on the USA's next opponent. "And the nice thing about Australia, when Lauren (Jackson) comes off the floor, when Penny (Taylor) comes off the floor, the rest of that team is used to playing without them. So although Lauren and Penny obviously are great players, they don't lose that much without them. So we expect it to be a great game, and I'm looking forward to that matchup."

The Aug. 5 games will begin with a 2:00 p.m. (2:00 a.m. EDT) face-off for fifth place between Russia and Mali, while host China (1-1) takes on Latvia (1-1) in the third-place game, set to tip at 4:00 p.m. (4:00 a.m. EDT).

Donovan is being assisted by University of Texas head coach Gail Goestenkors, University of South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley and Connecticut Sun head coach Mike Thibault.

The women's Olympic basketball competition tips off on Aug. 9, and the U.S. women open against the Czech Republic at 8:00 p.m. (8:00 a.m. EDT), followed by a clash against host China on Aug. 11 at 8:00 p.m. (8:00 a.m. EDT) and a 10:15 p.m. (10:15 a.m.) tip-off against Mali on Aug. 13. On Aug. 15, the U.S. will face Spain at 8:00 p.m. (8:00 a.m. EDT) and close preliminary round play against New Zealand at 10:15 p.m. (10:15 a.m. EDT) on July 17.

The defending Olympic champs, the USA women in fact will be vying for a fourth consecutive Olympic gold. Since women's basketball was officially staged at the 1976 Olympics, the Americans have collected a record five gold medals, one silver and one bronze medal, while compiling a 42-3 (.933) overall record in seven Olympic appearances (the United States chose not to participate in the 1980 Olympic Games).