ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Tina Thompson helped the U.S. women's basketball team pull away in the fourth quarter Saturday and win the Olympic gold medal over Australia, 74-63.
The Americans trailed by four late in the third period, but a three-pointer by Diana Taurasi brought them within one and they crawled ahead by two entering the final quarter.
Thompson, who scored 18, keyed a 6-1 run to open the fourth and the United States stormed to its third straight Olympic gold medal.
The win by the women came one day after the U.S. men were eliminated from gold medal contention by Argentina in the semifinals.
American captain Dawn Staley, who carried the U.S. flag in the opening ceremony two weeks ago, added 14 points and Lisa Leslie had 13.
The United States limited Australia to 36 percent shooting. The Aussies were done in by a three-for-24 effort from three-point range.
Penny Taylor led Australia with 16.
The bronze medal was won earlier in the day by Russia, 71-62 over Brazil.
