• Submitted by: admin
• International
• Sports
• 09 / 28 / 2007

Diana Taurasi scored 16 points for the Americans, and Katie Smith added 13 points. Tina Thompson finished with 13 points and six rebounds for USA, which faces Jamaica on Thursday.

Yakelyn Tizon led the Cubans with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Yayma Peillon scored 15 points for Cuba, which takes on Canada on Thursday.

The game was tied at 71 late in the fourth quarter, but Smith sank three- pointers on consecutive trips down the court, the second trey pushing the Americans to a 77-71 lead with 3:44 remaining. USA was able to keep the Cubans at arm's length for the rest of the game, holding on for the win.

The gold medalist in the FIBA Americas Tournament will earn an automatic bid to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Source: Sports Network