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Bryant Leads U.S. Surge

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The Associated Press

Published: August 21, 2008

Updated: 08/21/2008 12:11 am

BEIJING - Don't doubt this U.S. men's basketball team - and sure don't challenge them, either.

Especially if it's going to make Kobe Bryant flash his NBA MVP form.

Bryant scored 25 points in his best game in Beijing, and the men's U.S. Olympic team advanced to the semifinals by beating Australia 116-85 on Wednesday night.

The United States will play defending champion Argentina on Friday night for a spot in Sunday's gold medal game. The Argentines beat Greece 80-78 in a quarterfinal victory watched from behind the baseline by Bryant and members of the U.S. coaching staff.

Argentina beat the U.S. in the semifinals of the 2004 Olympics.

Locked in what looked like another tough game with Australia, the Americans sent the Aussies' upset hopes down under with a 14-0 burst to open the second half, featuring nine points from Bryant.

"Early in the game, they made a lot of tough shots," U.S. point guard Chris Paul said. "We were doing what we were supposed to be doing and they made tough shots, but sooner or later we'll impose our will. I don't know if you can keep up with us for 40 minutes."

May-Treanor, Walsh Claim Gold Medal

Americans Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor have won their second consecutive gold medal in beach volleyball, playing through a steady rain to beat Wang Jie and Tian Jia of China 21-18, 21-18 today.

Walsh and May-Treanor, who did not lose a single set in Beijing, extended their winning streak to 108 matches.

Earlier today, Xue Chen and Zhang Xi won China's first beach volleyball medal, beating Brazilians Talita and Renata 21-19, 21-17 for the bronze.

BASEBALL: Brian Barden singled in the go-ahead run to break a scoreless tie in the 11th inning and the U.S. beat Japan 4-2 to earn the third seed into Friday's medal round, while the Japanese will be No. 4.

The teams concluded preliminary play and Japan (4-3) will take on top-seeded South Korea (7-0) in Friday's first game, then the Americans (5-2) will face defending champion Cuba (6-1).

SOFTBALL: Crystl Bustos hit a three-run homer in the ninth inning as the U.S. beat Japan 4-1 in extra innings and will play for its fourth straight gold medal.

VOLLEYBALL: The U.S. men's team came from behind to defeat Serbia in five sets and remain undefeated in Beijing.

The 20-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-18, 15-12 victory night propels the United States into the semifinal round against Russia.

The U.S. team overcame tragedy to win all five of its matches in preliminary pool play. Serbia went 2-3 to advance to the quarterfinals.

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