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USA overpowers Cuba in women's basketball preliminaries
SYDNEY, Sept 18 (AFP) - Guard Katie Smith scored 15 points and five-time Olympian Teresa Edwards added 13 more as reigning champions the United States of America overpowered Cuba 90-61 in Olympic preliminary women's basketball action Monday. The Cubans attacked the basket hard and led briefly in the first half, allowing the USA to lead only 48-42 at halftime. But the Americans, who next go on to play Russia, the only other undefeated team in Group B, pulled away in the second half, going on a 20-4 run thanks in part to costly turnovers by Cuba. "I was very pleased with how we came out in the second half after we made some adjustments to defend Cuba," said Nell Ann Fortner, the USA coach. "Offensively we were fine but more than anything the depth of the USA team came out tonight and that's good." Fortner said that depth had led to an unselfishness with the ball among his players, who are focused on winning gold in Sydney. "They all want to win the gold medal and the only way is to accept roles and they do it pretty well." In other Group B women's preliminary action Monday, Russia, which shares the top of the group table with the United States, downed European champions Poland 84-46 with six Russian players finishing in the double figures. South Korea, meanwhile, felled New Zealand 101-62. In Group A, Canada overcame Senegal 62-41, while France held on to its undefeated record by beating Slovakia 58-1. Atlanta bronze medallists Australia, favorites for a medal in Sydney, were playing Brazil in late action Monday.
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