American women roll in basketball

BEIJING, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- Tina Thompson scored 15 points Sunday and led the United States to a 96-60 win over New Zealand, finishing group play in the women's Olympic basketball tourney.

The unbeaten and untested Americans set up a quarterfinal game on Tuesday against South Korea. They scored no fewer than 93 points during the five group games and shot 57 percent from the floor against New Zealand.

The United States won Group B with China finishing second at 4-1, followed by Spain (3-2) and the Czech Republic (2-3).

Australia pulled away late Sunday to defeat Russia 75-55 and finish Group A action unbeaten. Russia wound up 4-1 and Belarus tied South Korea for third with 2-3 records.

Belarus, however, had a better point differential and won the tie-breaker. That forced South Korea into its quarterfinal game against the Americans.

The other quarterfinals will find Australia meeting the Czech Republic, Russia playing Spain and China taking on Belarus.