The U.S. victory, coupled with Russia's 84-65 win over Spain in the day's late game, set the stage for a USA versus Russia (5-1) rematch of the 2006 FIBA World Championship semifinal game, a game won by Russia 75-68. The game is scheduled to be played Thursday at 8 p.m. (8 a.m. EDT on MSNBC). China (5-1) will meet Australia in the other semifinal match up at 10:15 p.m. The winners of the semifinal games will advance to Saturday's gold medal game (10:00 p.m.), while the losers will square off in the bronze medal game (7:30 p.m.).
Everybody scored for the USA in the win over South Korea, including 12 points from Diana Taurasi (Phoenix Mercury); 11 points from both Kara Lawson (Sacramento Monarchs) and Cappie Pondexter (Phoenix Mercury); and 10 points from Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks).
"(South Korea) showed in the first quarter what they are capable of, and I thought we responded. (In the) second and third quarter defensively, in particular, I thought we did a great job," said USA head coach Anne Donovan. "Once again, I think our depth is key to our team and to our success. We just can keep putting people on the floor and virtually have no letup at all. So, I'm really pleased. We're really excited to get into the semifinals."
The USA shot 56.6 percent from the field (43-76 FGs), and relied on its inside superiority to score 66 points in the paint and outrebound South Korea 50-24 on its way to 22 second-chance points.
Down 4-2, Leslie converted on a Taurasi assist to kick-off a 6-0 run that brought the score to 8-4 in the USA's favor when South Korea called its first timeout with 6:23 on the clock. The ensuing 3:37 featured six lead changes, and at the end of the first quarter the American women led 25-21.
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