ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Stephon Marbury brought the U.S. men's basketball team to life with 31 points Thursday, carrying the Americans to a 102-94 semifinal win over Spain.
After suffering the first two Olympic losses ever with NBA players during the preliminary phase of the tournament, the United States earned a Friday semifinal berth against Argentina.
The game was marred when Spanish Coach Mario Pesquera yelled at Coach Larry Brown because of a time out taken when the game in hand.
Marbury, who had shot poorly during the tournament, made 10 of 15 from the floor and six of nine from three-point range. He set an American record for points in an Olympic game.
Allen Iverson added 16 points, Carlos Boozer had 12 and Lamar Odom 11 for the Americans.
"I scored for my team and not for my statistics," Marbury said.
Argentina scored only seven points in the second quarter but rallied for a 69-64 late-evening win over Greece. Like the United States, Argentina lost twice in the preliminary round.
Friday's other semifinal will send Lithuania against Italy.
Italy eliminated Puerto Rico, 83-70, and Lithuania overwhelmed China, 95-75.
