USA Women's National Team Earns Hard-Fought 71-67 Victory Over Australia

By USA Basketball
Posted Tuesday, August 5, 2008

HAINING, China (Aug. 5, 2008) -- Paced by the double-double of three-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks), who recorded 14 points and 10 boards, the 2008 USA Basketball Women's National Team (3-0) survived a classic battle against world champion Australia (2-1) for a 71-67 victory and the 2008 FIBA Diamond Ball gold medal on Tuesday night in Haining, China.

Sue Bird (Seattle Storm), who shot 5-of-6 from the field for 11 points; Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury), who had six points and three assists against Australia; and Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks), who notched 12 points and eight boards, were named to the 2008 FIBA Diamond Ball All-Tournament Team. The trio was joined by China forward Sui Feifei and tournament MVP Lauren Jackson of Australia.

In consolation play Russia (1-2) defeated Mali (0-3) 79-52 for fifth place, and host China (2-1) took the bronze medal with a 63-51 victory over Latvia (1-2).

"Definitely (these two teams) bring out the best in each other," said USA head coach Anne Donovan, a three-time Olympian and an assistant coach on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team. "I think the familiarity for our players with Australia for us, both in the WNBA and internationally when they play in the leagues in the winter, I think they just know each other very well. The top level athlete is so competitive, and they have so much pride, that it wouldn't matter if they were playing for marbles. I think they'd go just as hard. This was great to see, and it was great preparation. Absolutely the best preparation we could have going into next week."

As is expected every time these two teams face each other the game is a battle from the tip, and this one was no exception. The first quarter alone featured five lead changes and four knotted scores as the U.S. edged Australia 16-15.

Australia retook the lead with the second quarter's first basket to go up 17-16. Kara Lawson (Sacramento Monarchs) hit a three to kick-off a 9-0 run, and the U.S. was up 25-17, never again falling behind. By the 1:47 mark the USA's lead grew to its largest of the night, 35-23.

However, with 34.9 seconds before the break, Penny Taylor was sent to the line. After making both, Tully Bevilaqua stole the inbounds pass and Australia got two quick points. Australia then came up with the rebound after a Suzy Batkivic block, Taylor banked in an off-balanced shot with two seconds remaining, and by halftime the USA's lead was clipped to 35-29.

"Tonight was a tough one. Australia is a very, very good team and we were fortunate to pull it out," said Bird. "We've only had five, six practices together, this was our third game as a unit and we've gotten better every game. That's a good sign. We still have eight more to go but as long as we continue to get better, get after it out there and work towards our talent, I think we'll be okay."

Foul trouble again plagued the United States, which had five players whistled for two fouls apiece in the first half. At 8:59 in the third quarter Katie Smith (Detroit Shock) was pulled after her third infraction. By the 3:11 mark in the third Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx), Sylvia Fowles (Chicago Sky) and Leslie had all picked up their third fouls. Australia took advantage of the USA's sitting stars and knotted the score twice, the second at 50-all at 1:24.

The refuse-to-lose attitude honed by years of championship play by U.S. veterans and younger players alike spurred a 6-0 run in the final minute of the quarter to bring the score to 56-50 with 10 minutes to play. Parker worked her way inside and converted on an offensive board, Lawson snared the ball away from the Aussies, was fouled sprinting up the court and swished in both of her free throws, and Taurasi ended the quarter on a driving layup.

Australia continued to claw back, but the U.S. would not back down. With the Americans up 67-65, Bird came up with a loose ball, passed it up the court to Taurasi, who hit Leslie with a no-look pass to up the ante to 69-65 at 2:10. Taylor scored on the other end, but Tina Thompson (Houston Comets) had an answer for the game's final points at 1:09.