Short-handed Australia crushes U.S. 74-60 in women's basketball

BEIJING, April 19 (Xinhua) -- World champion Australia proved Saturday it is a quality team even without top players, crushing world No.1 the United States 74-60 at the 2008 Good Luck Beijing women's basketball international invitation here.

The victory spoiled Lisa Leslie's first come-back game with the U.S. after the 36-year-old veteran gave a birth to a daughter in 2007.

"It's disappointed 'cause playing for the U.S.A. you always want to win," said Leslie, who had 17 points and eight rebounds in 30:45 minutes.

"We have a very young and new team. There are lots of things to do to make this team better for the 2008 Olympics."

Australia, which won the 2006 World Championships when the U.S. finished with a bronze, played without top players Lauren Jackson, Penny Taylor and Kristi Harrower who remain in Europe.

Rohanee Cox led Australia by 16 points and five rebounds, with Hollie Grima and Erin Phillips adding 13 and 12 points respectively and eight rebounds each.

Australia was better off on the board, 39-34, and had less turnovers, 13-17, to conquer the Athens Olympic champion, which beat them in the gold-medal final four years ago.

"It's a pleasing victory. It's always a challenge to play against the United States and come away with a victory. It's a good start to win the first game of the tournament," Australia coach Janette Stirling said.

Trailing by 50-48 to enter the decisive quarter, Australia used a 16-5 run to take the control of the game.

The U.S. tried to close it but Tully Bevilaqua's 3-pointer with 1:34 minutes to go made it 70-60, the first double-digit deficit of the game, crashing U.S. last hope for coming back.

Leslie's consecutive baskets gave the U.S. a 6-0 start but Australia never let it loose though it trailed for most of the time.