This latest victory for the U.S. women's team came with a scare -- from an injury, not the opponent.
Katie Smith, the team's best outside shooter, reinjured her right knee early in a 100-62 victory over China.
Lisa Leslie and the U.S. strong-arm their way past China, Wang Ling.
(Michael Conroy -- AP)
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Smith had missed the first game here after bruising her right knee last month. She will undergo an MRI exam today.
The United States already had secured first place in Group B and China, which had injury problems of its own, had no chance of advancing to Wednesday's quarterfinals.
That gave Coach Van Chancellor an opportunity to try different combinations and give everyone plenty of rest. Still, it was more of the same: Lisa Leslie and Yolanda Griffith dominated inside and the United States harassed the Chinese players all over the floor with its pressure defense, forcing 27 turnovers and making 22 steals.
As a bonus, the United States had its best shooting game so far -- 52 percent (44 for 85) -- and out-rebounded its shorter opponent, 46-20.
Diana Taurasi led the Americans with 19 points, while Leslie scored 17, Griffith 15 and Sheryl Swoopes 13.
Li Ye led China with 19.
The Americans will play Greece in the quarterfinals, when the competition moves to the Athens Olympic Complex. Greece, in the Olympic basketball competition for the first time and backed by a noisy crowd every time it has played, finished fourth in Group A with a 93-91 victory over Japan.
