U.S. women roll past South Korea, 104-60

BEIJING – Seven seconds after today’s opening tipoff, Lisa Leslie scored on a power move inside.

Freeze that image. Repeat it. And you have an idea of how the U.S. women’s Olympic basketball team destroyed South Korea, 104-60, to advance to Thursday’s semifinals.

The Americans’ staggering 66-28 edge in points in the paint exhibited not just an ability to follow a game plan but also this squad’s versatility. Through six victories that have come by an average of 43.2 points, the U.S. has won with its defense one game, its transition game the next, its inside game another.

Is it any wonder that Team USA is leading this tournament in – deep breath here – scoring offense, scoring defense, scoring margin, shooting percentage, defensive field-goal percentage, three-point shooting percentage and assists?

“One to 12, we have good players on this team,” Leslie said. “We have a lot of depth and can beat teams a lot of different ways.”

Despite the lack of close games, the U.S. has faced a variety of defensive looks and guarded varying offensive styles. That should be preparation enough for a semifinal matchup against either Russia or Spain (who play tonight). The memory of a semifinal loss to Russia in the 2006 world championships is still fresh in players’ minds.

“Our bench is deeper,” guard Sue Bird said. “We keep teams on their toes because we keep coming at them. I think we have a better mix of veteran leadership and first-time Olympians and players that bridge the gap. It’s really a good chemistry.”

That chemistry has manifested itself in balanced scoring and dominant defense.

Knowing that Korea entered today’s contest with a tournament-high 37 three-pointers and perimeter-based attack, U.S. Coach Anne Donovan wanted to exploit her team’s height advantage inside.

After a taut first quarter, the U.S. began to pull away by hammering the ball inside. Center Sylvia Fowles had 12 of her game-high 26 points in just 11 first-half minutes and scored back-to-back baskets within a minute of her entrance.

“I think I was in a good groove and felt really well,” Fowles said. “I didn’t see anything stopping me.”

Diana Taurasi added 12 points and Cappie Pondexter and Kara Lawson scored 11 apiece.

“This team is focused on one thing and that’s winning our country’s fourth straight gold medal,” Taurasi said. “Until that happens, we haven’t accomplished anything.”

 kcjohnson@tribune.com