Women's Basketball Review Day 7: Another four years, another Australia-US final

(BEIJING, August 21) -- As expected, the United States and Australia captured semifinal wins on Thursday, August 21, to propel them to their third consecutive face-off in the Olympic Women's Basketball gold medal match

A stellar defensive effort saw the United States past Russia 67-52. Guard Diana Taurasi hit five-of-eight from beyond the arc for a game-high 21 points as the three-time Olympic gold medalists exacted some revenge over the side that had relegated it to third place at the 2006 World Championships in Brazil.

US-born Becky Hammon headed into the game as Russia's leading scorer, averaging just over 13 points a game, but it was apparent from the opening tip-off that the United States had designs to limit her effectiveness. Scoreless for the first three quarters, her first field goal did not come until 2:52 left in the game, and she ended the night with just three points.

"Our job was to keep the ball out of Becky (Hammon)'s hands because when she is on a roll the team is on a roll," said US coach Anne Donovan.

As for Taurasi's performance, according to Donovan, "It was the biggest game of the tournament and the biggest night for Diana. She's a big time money player. The bigger the game the better she is. And her confidence oozes out onto everyone else."

"The semifinal is always the hardest game in any tournament," Taurasi said after the game.

Taurasi says the United States trailed in most of the first half's scoring because it was rushing things. "We found our rhythm once we started to slow things down."

In the second semifinal game, Australia had to play without injured star Penny Taylor and China never stopped fighting, but it was not enough to keep the Opals from comfortably winning their semifinal match 90-56.

Australia's center Lauren Jackson said her team was able to perform well without Taylor. "I think everybody stepped up. (Jenni) Screen had an amazing game and stepped right in. And I think that our best is ahead of us."

"We lost a lot in rebounding," said China's center Chen Nan about her team's 34 rebounds compared to Australia's 56.

China captain Miao Lijie, who scored 10 points in the game, agreed. "There is still a gap between our strength and that of the world's best teams. There are differences in personal abilities. We didn't do well in rebounds, and the physical side of the game was too much for us."

Russia and China will play in the bronze medal match right before the United States versus Australia game commences on Saturday, August 23.