BEIJING — Lisa Leslie and the U.S. women’s basketball team was once again too good for Australia at the Olympics.
Leslie capped off her illustrious Olympic career with a fourth straight gold medal scoring 14 points in a 92-65 victory over Australia on Saturday night. She joined former teammate Teresa Edwards as the only basketball players ever to win four gold medals.
Russia took the bronze medal beating host China 94-81 as Becky Hammon scored 22 points.
The Aussies have now lost to the Americans in the gold medal game in the past three Olympics with all three defeats coming by double-digit margins.
Australia figured this was its best shot to beat the Americans as Penny Taylor and Erin Phillips missed the first half of the WNBA season so that they could train for the Beijing Games. Lauren Jackson left the Seattle Storm two weeks before the Olympic break so she could join her teammates.
Even with their extra training and Taylor returning to the starting lineup after missing the semifinals with a sprained right ankle, the Australians just couldn’t match the Americans’ depth.
Kara Lawson led the U.S. with 15 points, Candace Parker added 14, and Sylvia Fowles added 13 as the American reserves outscored Australia’s 59-11.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
