Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant lead U.S. over Spain for the gold

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BEIJING -- The U.S. men’s basketball team survived a rally by Spain to win the gold medal Sunday, 118-107.

Spain had closed to within two, 91-89, early in the fourth quarter, but the U.S. responded with a 27-18 surge to close out the victory.

Dwyane Wade led the U.S. offense with 27 points. Four other U.S. players reached double figures: Kobe Bryant contributed 20, LeBron James had 14, and Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul each scored 13.

The Lakers’ Pau Gasol had 21 points for Spain.

The medal is the 109th of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games for Team USA, its most in a full-participation Olympic Games. The gold medal is the 36th for the United States in Beijing, matching the total received at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

-- Debbie Goffa