They were cruising through the 2006 FIBA worlds enroute to a highly anticipated championship showdown with Australia but were handed a 75-68 upset loss by Russia that ended their 50 game winning streak in FIBA competition .
That USA finished the tournament 8-1 but left Brazil with bronze medals and a bad taste in their mouths. They also had to go through the 2007 FIBA Americas tournament to qualify for the Beijing Games.. The 2010 Team USA tri-captains made sure there would be no repeat of that 2006 disappointment as they jumped on Spain early for a 29-16 first quarter lead and sprinted to a 106-70 win to send them to tomorrow's championship game against the host Czech Republic..
The Team USA women average victory margin has been 37 points as they have rolled through the 2010 FIBA Worlds. They passed the 100 point barrier for the fourth time in this tournament and the 17th time in USA FIBA championship history.
Everybody scored for Team USA paced by Tamika Catchings 14 points. Sylvia Fowles added 13 points and six rebounds to another sterling team effort by our lady ballers, with Diana Taurasi and Angel McCoughtry both scoring 11 apiece. Swin Cash, Asjha Jones and Tina Charles all scored nine points to propel Team USA to their first FIBA final since 2002.
Only one game to go for the FIBA number 1 ranked Americans to cap a remarkable run for this team, but it will be in front of a hostile crowd and an opponent who has already knocked off the defending FIBA champions.
