US, Australia to meet for women´s basketball gold

Source: Xinhua | 08-22-2008 09:51

BEIJING, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- The United States, the three consecutive Olympic women's basketball titles holder, will take on Australia, the current world champions, for the Beijing Games gold on Saturday.

Australia eased past China 90-56 in a semifinal game while the Americans overcame a slow start to beat Russia 67-52 in another semi.

The Aussies went on a 8-0 run early in the game to lead 12-6. After Song Xiaoyun hit a three-pointer and Chen Xiaoli scored two points, China whittled the deficit to two points by the end of the first quarter, trailing 13-11.

Lauren Jackson (15#) of Australia goes up for a  shoot during the women's semifinal between China  and Australia of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games  basketball event in Beijing,China, Aug. 21, 2008. Australia beat China 90-56.(Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)

The Aussies continued to excel on rebounds in the second quarter, with 13 compared to China's seven, and score in the paint to stretch the leading margin to double digits at half-time, 34-18.

"We lost a lot in rebounding," China's center Chen said. "We played quite a physical game, especially inside."