USA Women's Basketball Beats Cuba

By
Chuck Schoffner
January 7, 2006, 5:12 AM ET
2 min read

S Y D N E Y, Australia, Sept. 18, 2000 -- The U.S. women’s basketball team

overcame early foul problems and Cuba’s hot-shooting center to stay

unbeaten in the Olympics.

Katie Smith’s outside shooting and strong play by the benchcarried the United States to a 90-61 victory over Cuba todaybefore a crowd that included Chelsea Clinton.

Like its first game, an 89-75 win over South Korea, it took theUnited States awhile to put it away. But the United Stateseventually got it done, using two big second-half runs to subduethe Cubans after trailing by as many as five in the first half.

Smith led the United States with 15 points, including three3-pointers. Five-time Olympian Teresa Edwards scored 13 points,Sheryl Swoopes had 11 and Lisa Leslie 10. Kara Wolters, who did noteven play in the first game, added eight points off the bench.

Martinez Gives USA Trouble

Cuba’s 6-foot-5 center, Yamilet Martinez, gave the United Statesproblems by hitting a succession of turnaround shots while scoring17 points in the first half on 8-for-12 shooting. Martinez got intoearly foul trouble in the second half, however, and scored only twomore points.

U.S. post players Leslie, Yolanda Griffith and DeLisha Miltonall were on the bench with two fouls just 6:14 into the game. Thatforced coach Nell Fortner to rely on reserves and they did enoughto keep Cuba at bay.

The United States trailed until Smith’s 3-pointer produced a24-23 lead with 10:08 left in the first half. Cuba never led again.Then, in the second half, the United States took control.

Leslie had four points and drew the third and fourth fouls onMartinez during a 12-0 run that made it 62-46. A jump shot and a3-pointer by Smith highlighted a 10-0 burst that stretched the leadto 74-52 and put the United States out of danger.

Win Against South Korea

The United States again played without 6-2 forward ChamiqueHoldsclaw, who has a stress fracture in her right foot and probablywon’t be back until the medal round.

With Holdsclaw out, look for DeLisha Milton to get more playing time.Milton played 20 minutes in the 89-75 over South Korea,contributing eight points, seven rebounds and a steal.

Ah, yes, South Korea. Not the blowout that had been expected toget the United States off to a flying start in its gold medal bid.South Korea gave the United States fits with its passing andcutting in the half-court.

At this level, one surprise is enough.