U.S. outlasts Canada

Posted August 25, 2007 11:00 pm

Associated Press

Dee-fense! Dee-fense!

The United States couldn't shake Canada with offense alone. Turning up the defense sure did the trick.

The Americans held the Canadians to just 2 field goals in a dominant second quarter, pulling away for a 113-63 victory in Las Vegas on Saturday to remain unbeaten in the FIBA Americas tournament.

Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points, equaling the second-best U.S. total in an Olympic qualifying game, and Michael Redd added 19, including five 3-pointers. But the United States didn't pull away until it tightened its defense after a competitive first quarter.

Kobe Bryant had 15 points, Amare Stoudemire 12 and LeBron James 10 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists for the Americans, who reached 100 points less than 2½ minutes into the fourth quarter and are averaging 116 in the tournament -- not far off the record 121.2 the Dream Team put up in 1992.

The United States (3-0) closes pool play tonight against Brazil, which also brought an undefeated record into its game later Saturday against the U.S. Virgin Islands. The winner of Sunday's game should earn the top seed from Group B in the second round, which begins Monday.

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