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23 September 2006
Game Report, United States vs Brazil, 99-59 - Bronze Medal Game
São Paulo / Brazil - The United States demolished Brazil on Saturday morning to secure the bronze medal at the FIBA World Championship for Women.
Favourites to win their third successive title, the US were brushed aside by Russia in their semi-final but Anne Donovan's team put the disappointment behind them with a ruthless display against the tournament hosts.
Diana Taurasi led the way with 28 points, including 10 of the North Americans' first 14.
Brazil stayed right with their opponents early on with Erika's first two points making it 14-14 with just under five minutes left in the opening quarter.
Tina Thompson replied with a three-ball, but after a lay-up by veteran Helen cut the lead to 17-16, the wheels started to come off for Brazil.
A Delisha Milton-Jones jump shot sparked an 8-0 surge with Tamika Catchings and Thompson also nailing three-pointers.
Katie Smith's shot from the arc with three seconds remaining in the first period -the Americans' sixth of the quarter - extended the advantage to 31-21.
Brazil battled, but could not make any inroads in the US lead.
Instead, the visitors closed the final 3:13 of the half with a 7-2 run for a 49-34 lead.
Taurasi drained a three-pointer immediately after the restart and the US outscored Brazil 9-3 over the first 1:30 of the third quarter for a 58-37 stranglehold on the game.
Taurasi & Co went on to outscore Brazil 34-11 in the period for an unassailable 83-45 lead.
Taurasi, who played on the USA's gold medal winning side at the Olympics two years ago, ended up six of seven from three-point range in the contest while the Americans were 11 of 20 as a team.
They out-rebounded Brazil 38-24.
Thompson scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds while Catchings had a team-high eight boards to go with her 11 points.
It was a major letdown for Brazil, who had led Australia by four points early in the fourth quarter of their semi-final.
Hopes were high at that point of a gold medal but instead, they finished with nothing.
Janeth, who played on their gold medal winning side in 1994, paced the Brazilians with 16 points.
By Jeff Taylor, Exclusively for FIBA |
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