Taurasi scores 21 as U.S. routs Russia
HAINING, CHINA (TICKER) —Diana Taurasi scored 21 points Monday as the United States women’s basketball team cruised to a 93-58 victory over Russia, whose team included Becky Hammon, in the FIBA Diamondback Ball Tournament - a tuneup for the Olympics.
Led by Taurasi, Team USA improved to 2-0 in the event and advanced to Tuesday’s championship game against defending world champion Australia, which crushed Mali, 112-43, in Monday’s other contest.
After struggling to get past Latvia, 84-74, on Monday, the Americans turned in a more complete effort against the Russians, who never led. Prior to this tournament, Team USA had only four practices.
Monday’s meeting was the first between the rivals since Russia beat Team USA in the semifinals of the 2006 world championship.
“We just wanted to get some things done that we didn’t do yesterday,” Taurasi said. “Coach (Anne) Donovan talked about it before the game, and were trying to accomplish those goals. We did a pretty good job of putting 40 minutes together of just hard basketball.”
The Americans opened a 17-10 lead after the first quarter, then used a 19-4 spurt to build a 43-19 cushion at halftime.
“I thought we were in total rhythm tonight offensively, and it was predicated off our defense,” Donovan said. “We were aggressive defensively. We got after it, and therefore our transition to our offense really was aggressive as well. I was pleased. This really was a great game for us.”
Sylvia Fowles added 15 points for Team USA and Candace Parker, who did not play in the second half against Latvia due to an injured right shoulder, chipped in with 12.
“Last night against Latvia, we came out and we weren’t playing as intensive defense as we could,” Parker said. “Tonight, we came out and played much better full-court up-in-your-face defense for 40 minutes.”
Hammon opted to play in the Olympics for Russia after she was not selected to the U.S. team. She scored 10 points in Monday’s contest. Tatiana Shchegoleva paced the Russians with 14 points.
A South Dakota native, Hammon was allowed to complete for Russia in the Olympics because she has not played for the United States in any major international events. Last winner, she became a naturalized citizen of Russia, where she competes for a club team.
Seeking a fourth straight gold medal, the Americans open Olympic play Saturday with a preliminary contest against the Czech Republic.