ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Lisa Leslie helped break open a close game in the second half Friday and carry the U.S. women's basketball team to a 71-58 win over Spain.
It was Spain's first loss in Group B and the Spanish gave the Americans a game well into the second half.
But Leslie scored 19 points and pulled down nine rebounds while Tina Thompson added 16 points to push the United States to 4-0. The Americans have a game remaining against China before playing in the quarterfinals next Wednesday.
"We are here only to win the gold medal," Thompson said. "The second place will be a total failure. If we continue in the same way there no question that we will achieve our goal."
The United States had only a two-point lead at intermission and the game was tied with seven minutes left in the third period.
But the Americans scored eight straight points with Dawn Staley producing five of them, to take control.
Russia and New Zealand earned quarterfinal berths Friday. Russia defeated Japan, 94-71, and New Zealand defeated China, 79-77, on a shot at the buzzer by Megan Compain.
