US women also have rout stuff

BEIJING - The United States women's basketball team quickly dashed any hopes China had of an upset, avenging a loss in April with the second American drubbing of the Chinese in as many nights.

Tina Thompson scored 13 of her 27 points during a 23-0 run in the first quarter and the US routed China, 108-63, last night, taking the boisterous crowd out of the game early.

"We were really locked in and focused," US cocaptain Katie Smith said. "We didn't want to let them stick around. We wanted to let the crowd know that we were ready to play.

"You don't want to play around with teams, if you have a chance to make a statement and put them away early you do that."

Trailing by 1 midway through the first quarter, Thompson took over. She made two 3-pointers, a jumper from the corner, two layups, and three free throws in the spurt.

"I just got good looks at the basket," Thompson said. "It was the first time they weren't doubling the post."

By the time Kobe Bryant and the rest of the men's team settled into their seats at the end of the first quarter the US was ahead, 33-11. The American men beat China, 101-70, Sunday night.

After the scoring run, the women never looked back.

Bian Lan finally ended China's 6 1/2 minute scoreless drought early in the second quarter with a jumper that rattled around the rim before dropping in. China missed 12 straight shots and turned the ball over three times during its drought.

The US (2-0) didn't stop at its 22-point lead, extending its advantage to 61-27 at the half. The Americans cruised the rest of the way.

Miao Lijie scored 16 points to lead China (1-1), which suffered its worst loss to the US in Olympic history, surpassing a 100-62 defeat in 2004.

Sylvia Fowles added 18 points, Candace Parker 12, and Lisa Leslie had 10 points and 10 rebounds for the US.

In other games yesterday, Russia edged South Korea, 77-72; Belarus topped Latvia, 79-57; Australia beat Brazil; 80-65; and Spain defeated New Zealand, 85-62.