Women's basketball streak reaches 37

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LONDON, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Diana Taurasi helped the U.S. basketball team blow the game open in the third period Friday on its way to an 88-61 Olympic victory over the Czech Republic.

The Americans won their 37th consecutive Olympic game after finding themselves trailing by two points after the opening period.

Team USA built a 10-point halftime lead, then outscored the Czechs in the third period 22-9. The Americans gave up six 3-point baskets in the first period and none the rest of the way.

Taurasi scored 18 points, Tina Charles had 16 for the Americans and Maya Moore scored 14.

With one game left in the round-robin portion of the tournament, the United States leads Group A with a 4-0 record. Turkey and China are tied at 4-1 and the Americans face China to close out group play on Sunday.

In Group B, Brazil was surprisingly eliminated from quarterfinal contention when it suffered a 79-73 setback against Canada. The Brazilians, expected to easily reach the quarterfinals, are winless in four games.

Group B is being led by unbeaten France, which edged Britain 80-77 Friday. Britain has also lost four games, three of them by eight points or less, and will not make the quarterfinals.

France, Russia, Canada and Australia will reach he quarters from Group B, although the order of finish will not be determined until the final round of group games.