U.S. women edge Australia for Diamond Ball title; China takes bronze

HAINING, China -- Standing on the podium, waiting to receive their FIBA Diamond Ball tournament gold medals, the United States women's basketball team had only one thought on their minds: This was only a dress rehearsal. The real performance begins now at the Olympics.

Lisa Leslie and the U.S. take the trophy in Haining, but they want Beijing gold. (AP)

"Being here is great but this wasn't the real show," said Candace Parker, who scored 12 points in America's 71-67 win over Australia in the gold medal game. "It was like an audition for the Olympics. We passed the pre-Olympic test but now we're going to go and take care of business."

This was the first meeting between these two rivals with both teams at full strength since the 2004 Olympics gold medal game, won by the Americans 74-63.

"This is all locked away," said Lisa Leslie, who led the U.S. with 14 points. "This is rehearsal. Now we're getting ready for the big game."

Before Tuesday's game, both teams said this contest was merely a tuneup for the Olympics and nothing more. Yet the physical play spoke differently. Players on both teams hit the floor after hard fouls and the matchup had the feel of an Olympic gold medal matchup, not a meaningless game.

"I don't think there has ever been a game when we played Australia when it wasn't physical," said Leslie.

Penny Taylor, who led Australia with 19 points, sported a blackened left eye after the game. It's something she surely will remember if the two teams do meet again in the Olympics.

"I've got a souvenir to take with us," Taylor said, pointing to her eye.

Both teams were raving about having such a high-quality tuneup right before the Olympics.

"I've been to three Olympics games and this Diamond Ball is by far the best in terms of preparation," said Australia's Lauren Jackson, who finished with 16 points in the loss and was named the tournament's MVP. "Everyone has their full teams and the top three teams in the world are here. It's a great lead up to the Olympics."

In earlier games Tuesday, China beat Latvia 63-51 to win the bronze medal. Russia topped Mali 79-52 in the fifth place game.

The Americans were leading 67-65 with 2:04 left when Leslie hit a layup to extend the advantage to four. Taylor answered with a twisting layup on the other end to make it a two-point game.

With the shot clock winding down, Tina Thompson hit a jumper from the corner to restore a four-point lead. Then Australia turned the ball over on its next two possessions, sealing the win for the U.S.