Texas Tech University Athletics
Swoopes Going for Gold in Athens
August 27, 2004 | Women's Basketball
Aug. 27, 2004
LUBBOCK, Texas - Former Texas Tech standout Sheryl Swoopes and the U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team defeated Russia, 66-62, in the semifinals of the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, today. Team USA (7-0) will take on Australia (7-0) on Sat., Aug. 28, in the medal finals at 8:15 a.m. CDT. Swoopes (Houston Comets) hit two key baskets toward the end of the game to help the U.S. to victory. With 4:23 to go in the game, the USA was up just 60-58. With the shot clock winding down for the U.S., Swoopes pulled up and sunk her first basket of the game. Following a missed shot by Russian, Swoopes got the rebound and got her second bucket in a 37-second span to lift the American women up 64-58 with 3:15 remaining. Then a basket by Tina Thompson (Houston Comets) gave the USA a 66-58 lead with 2:40 remaining and Team USA hung on to advance to the gold medal round. "What a basketball game," said USA and Houston Comets head coach Van Chancellor. "Thank goodness for Sheryl Swoopes. She says that for seven year she's made me into a fair coach and now here at the Olympics she's made me into another one. She thinks she's carried me. Today there's a lot of truth to that. She had two big time baskets down at the end." Thompson led the USA's balanced scoring attack with 14 points, while Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks) and Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever) had 11 points each, and Yoland Griffith (Sacramento Monarchs) finished with 10. Swoopes had six points, two rebounds and an assist in 31 minutes of play. The victory today gives the U.S. an Olympic winning streak of 22 games, dating back to the 1992 bronze medal contest. The USA is now 41-3 overall in Olympic play and has won a record four golds, one silver and one bronze medal in the six previous Olympic basketball competitions in which the U.S. has competed. The USA is seeking it third-straight gold medal after winning gold in Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000). For more information, please log onto www.usabasketball.com. information provided by USA Basketball
