Olympics Day One: U.S. Starts Slow, Finishes Strong
RELATED CONTENT | |
|
"Czech Republic came out really strong and kind of dictated both sides of the ball," said forward Diana Taurasi. "When they do that, they're a very tough team. Coach Donovan called timeout, kind of refocused on what we need to do and I think we did a good job of responding and coming back."
 | |
|
"We've been working on our defense and obviously 27 turnovers kind of reflected that," said Donovan.
Storm point guard 
Sue Bird, starting for the first time in the Olympics, scored five points in 15 minutes of action and added three steals. Bird controlled the U.S. attack and did not commit a turnover. Like many of the USA's starters, Bird's night was cut short because the team was in control of the game. Diana Taurasi, who scored a game-high 17 points in her own first Olympic start, was the only starter to play more than 20 minutes.
It helped that the younger U.S. reserves, many of them getting their first taste of Olympic competition, acquitted themselves quite nicely. Center Sylvia Fowles was highly productive in 17 minutes of action, scoring 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting and grabbing 14 rebounds. Guard Cappie Pondexter added 14 points in 15 minutes.
Overall, it was an impressive start to the Olympics with President George W. Bush and the U.S. Men's Olympic Team watching from the stands of the Beijing Olympic Basketball Stadium. The USA dominated a Czech Republic team that finished fifth in Athens and played the U.S. women within 13 points during group play in the 2006 FIBA World Championships.
"This was a great game for us because we got off to a slow start," said Bird, "but we were able to turn it around and obviously we had a great outcome."
AUSTRALIA 83, BELARUS 64
It was an early start for the reigning World Champion Australian Defence Force Opals, who tipped off the day of Olympic play at 9:00 a.m. local time against Belarus. There was no sign of the Australians sleeping in during a workmanlike 83-64 victory. The Opals led by seven after one quarter and 16 at the break, but Belarus hung tough and got within 12 points at 62-50 inside the two-minute mark of the third quarter. The Aussies responded with an 8-0 run to all but put the game away.
"We got everyone into the game, even by a few minutes, and some are on a huge learning curve for an Olympics," said Australian Head Coach Jan Stirling. "We had six first-time Olympians, which is always significant when you're the current World Champions. So we've got quite a few things to work on, but also I think we executed pretty well."
The vaunted Opals offensive attack was held in check, shooting 41.4 percent from the field. However, Australia was even stingier on defense, holding Belarus to 31.9 percent shooting and forcing 19 turnovers. Guards Tully Bevilaqua and Kristi Harrower had three steals apiece amongst 10 as a team for the Aussies.
Naturally, Storm forward 
Lauren Jackson led the Opals on offense. Jackson scored 18 points on 6-of-15 shooting and pulled down 10 rebounds. Fellow post Suzy Batkovic added a double-double of her own with 14 points and 12 rebounds and forwards Laura Summerton and Penny Taylor scored 12 apiece as Australia got excellent production from the frontcourt. Center Yelena Leuchanka, who has WNBA experience, led Belarus with 13 points and 10 boards.
SOUTH KOREA 68, BRAZIL 62
Inexperience may have cost Brazil in a 68-62 overtime loss to South Korea in the Olympic opener for both teams. Brazil led 55-49 with 3:27 to play after a Karla Costa three-pointer and seemed to have victory in hand. However, Brazil would not score again in regulation as the Koreans rallied to tie the game on two Younah Choi free throws with 21 seconds to play. Micaela Jacintho's potential game-winner was off at the buzzer, forcing OT. With the game tied at 57 in the extra session, South Korea scored nine unanswered points to effectively put away the win.
"We lost the game during the last two minutes of the fourth quarter," said Brazilian Head Coach Paulo Bassul. "We were too conservative, too focused on defense rather than offense. We should see a better balance. We have also failed to keep up our defense."
Brazil struggled all game on offense, committing 29 turnovers and shooting 35.4 percent from the field. South Korea turned it over but 12 times but was little more effective at finding the hoop, and Brazil was able to stay in the game and briefly take control by dominating the paint. The Brazilians had a 53-31 advantage on the glass, including 15 offensive rebounds.
Storm center 
Kelly Santos was the leading scorer for Brazil, posting 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting and adding six rebounds. One-time Storm forward Jung Sun-Min scored 10 points for South Korea and grabbed eight boards, but was limited to 5-of-16 shooting.
ELSEWHERE ...
New Zealand 76, Mali 72 - Mali had the ball with a chance to score in the closing seconds in their Olympic debut. Houston Comets forward Hamchetou Maīga-Ba was called for traveling, ending their hopes of an opening win.
China 67, Spain 64 - The hosts got off to a winning start behind double-doubles from veteran center Nan Chen (12 points, 10 rebounds) and forward Lan Bian (15 points, 12 boards). Spanish star Amaya Valdemoro (five points, 2-of-10 shooting) could not get anything going, and a rally led by young forward Alba Torrens (18 points, 3-of-6 on threes) fell short.
Russia 62, Latvia 57 - A bizarre game saw Russia lead by seven after one quarter, go to the fourth down seven and then outscored Latvia 21-9 in the final period for the win. Liene Jansone scored 24 points, the day one high, in defeat.
Storm Beijing 2008 Homepage
Get Storm Headlines!