U.S. Women Easily Beat Brazilians

The U.S. women’s basketball team, aspiring to its old, legendary status, beat Brazil, 103-75, Saturday in an exhibition on the first day of the Tournament of the Americas.

The Brazilians were gold medalists at the ’91 Pan American Games in Havana. The U.S. women had to settle for the bronze after losing to Cuba to end a 42-game winning streak in international play.

The United States led, 55-50, at halftime Saturday as Brazil’s flashy Hortencia Oliva put on a one-woman show. She had 20 points in the first half, five in the second.

“She had 20 points in the first half,” said Teresa Edwards, a two-time U.S. Olympic gold medalist, “and we wanted to make sure she didn’t get another 20. We had to stop here--especially with her dancing in front of our crowd.”