BASKETBALL Americans' reserves provide needed boost

ATHENS, Greece -- Three members of an NCAA championship team, a two-time Olympian and a quick, experienced guard -- all on the floor at the same time. The U.S. second string can overwhelm opponents, too.
With a jump start from the reserves, the American women turned it up after an awful start and rolled past New Zealand 99-47 Saturday -- step No. 1 in the U.S. team's bid to win a third straight gold medal.
"Our first unit knows the second unit won't have a letdown," said Swin Cash, one of the reserves and the top scorer with 19 points.
At stake
Those first five also know this: mess up and you sit.
"That's the great thing about coaching USA Basketball," coach Van Chancellor said. "When you're not happy with the first five, you've got another five just as good."
Chancellor was, indeed, unhappy with his starters. New Zealand had zipped to a 7-0 lead and was up 10-8 when Chancellor made his move at the 4:49 mark in the first quarter.
In came Cash, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi, all members of Connecticut's unbeaten national championship team in 2002; Yolanda Griffith, who played in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and point guard Shannon Johnson.
The turnaround was immediate and decisive. In just 2:47, Cash scored off an offensive rebound and made a free throw, Taurasi hit two 3-pointers and Griffith scored five points. By the end of the quarter, the United States was on a 20-3 run and leading 28-13.
It was 63-24 at halftime, thanks to a 10-0 run, and the Americans led by as many as 55, leaving New Zealand to search for any sort of consolation.
Point producers
Sheryl Swoopes led the U.S. starters with 14 points and Leslie finished with 13 -- plus an ugly nine turnovers. Taurasi had 12 points and nine rebounds and starter Tina Thompson scored 11.
Angela Marino led New Zealand with 13 points, including three 3-pointers.
In other games, it was Australia 85, Nigeria 73; China 71, South Korea 54; Brazil 128, Japan 62; Russia 69, Greece 62, and Spain 80, Czech Republic 78, OT.
Associated Press
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