United States outpoint Korea, enter final

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Sydney: United States cruised to a 78-65 win over South Korea on Friday and into the Olympic women's basketball final with Australia, the only other unbeaten team in the tournament.

But the American team suffered a scare ahead of Saturday's final after their second highest scorer, Sheryl Swoopes, was assisted to the sideline clutching her left knee with three minutes to play against South Korea.

"She has had this before. She gets a sharp pain in her knee but it doesn't last. She's fine, she'll play tomorrow with no problems," US coach Nell Fortner said of Swoopes, top scorer for the Americans.

The sailing was not as smooth as the scoreline suggested, with the US players shaking their heads in disbelief after the South Koreans contained them to a two-point lead at half time.

But in the second half, the Americans dominated the court and intensified their defence to contain their opponents' three-point shooting, which had been so deadly in the first half.

"We're right where we want to be, to play in Sydney for the gold medal," US guard Ruthie Bolton-Holified told reporters. "And the fact that it's against the Australians will make it a tough game but all the sweeter if we win."

Brazil face South Korea in the bronze medal game.



(c) Reuters Limited.