Americans dominate FIBA Americas, advance to Beijing

With its 101-77 victory over Cuba, Team USA secured its place in the 2008 Olympic Games.

Candace Parker and Tina Thompson led the Americas with 13.8 PPG, but what makes Parker’s more notable is she averaged less than 19 minutes per game.

Head Coach Anne Donovan was also pleased with the challenge the tournament provided, as well as the competition from the Cubans, who advance to the play-in tournament to be held in early Summer 2008. Words come from USA Basketball.

“We jumped on them right away,” said Donovan. “I thought we stayed focused throughout the game with our bench. It was a really great effort throughout this tournament, five games in five days. We started with the best team in the tournament, we finished with the best team in the tournament.

Argentina and Brazil also advance to the play-in tournament.

(PHOTO CREDIT: Ivan Alvarado/Reuters)