Kobe Bryant leads U.S. over stingy Russia

Kobe Bryant leads U.S. over stingy Russia

Russia contained the speedsters, controlled the backboards - everything a team needs to do to beat the United States.

Except stop Kobe Bryant.

Bryant provided the offense in the U.S. Olympic team’s first defensive struggle, scoring 11 of his 19 points in the third quarter of an 89-68 exhibition victory yesterday in Shanghai, China.

Carmelo Anthony added 17 points in what was by far the Americans’ most competitive tuneup yet for the Beijing Games.

The United States had been scoring 118 points per game while winning its first three exhibitions by an average of 41 points.

But Russia allowed far fewer fast-break baskets than the previous U.S. opponents, successfully keeping the game in the halfcourt by grabbing 12 offensive rebounds and forcing the Americans to run more offensive sets. Yet, Team USA still won comfortably.

Women also win

Sylvia Fowles scored eight of her 13 points during a late fourth-quarter run to lead the Americans to a 84-74 victory over pesky Latvia in the FIBA Diamond Ball tournament in Haining, China - a tuneup for the Olympics.

The Americans struggled early defensively as Latvia went up 12-7 in the first few minutes. Then the U.S. got going with a 24-6 run to close the quarter. Diana Taurasi scored all seven of her points during the spurt, including a nifty drive to the basket for a three-point play.

Latvia battled back behind Anete Jekabsone and Zane Tamane. Jekabsone hit two 3-pointers late in the second period to get Latvia within 43-36 with 1:20 left. The U.S. led by nine at the half, but had a scare when Candace Parker injured her right shoulder. She didn’t play in the second half.

Jekabsone scored 24 points to lead Latvia. Tina Thompson finished with 12 points for the U.S.

Memmel injured

American gymnast Chellsie Memmel hurt her right ankle while training on the floor exercise but is still expected to compete in Olympic team competition next weekend. USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny said that Memmel’s status was being monitored daily. . . .

Birth dates found in online documents have raised questions about the age of another Chinese gymnast - bringing the total to three who may be too young to compete in the Beijing Olympics.

Yang Yilin, a medal contender in the all-around and uneven bars, was born Aug. 26, 1993, according to three registration lists previously posted on the Web site of the General Administration of Sport of China. That would make Yang only 15 later this month.

Gymnasts have to be 16 during the Olympic year to be eligible for the games.

Diamond win

Brandon Knight struck out 10 and Matt LaPorta and Mike Hessman homered to lead the United States to a 9-1 exhibition victory over Canada in Durham, N.C.

Nate Schierholtz homered for the second straight game, a grand slam to highlight a five-run eighth for the U.S. Terry Tiffee also went deep for the Americans, who have outscored the Canadians 16-3 in winning two straight in the four-game tuneup.