Spain dominated its last preliminary game on Sunday to thrash Mali 79-47 in the Olympics women's basketball tournament.
Spain came out strong to a quick 12-0 lead before scoring two points on fast break and hitting a three-pointers to lead 19-5 by the end of the first quarter, and extended the margin to 15 points at half-time, 36-21.
Prevailing in the third quarter, Spain went on with a 13-0 run to stretch its advantage to as many as 25 points and took the momentum into the fourth quarter to seal the win.
"We should have been more focused," said Anna Montanava of Spain. "But we won by 32 so it's not too bad."
Spain's forward Amaya Valdemoro scored a game-high 21 points and claimed three rebounds followed by Djenebou Sissoko with 19 points. With 16 points from Mali's turnover, the Spaniards scored 26 points on fast break.
Eliminated from the basketball tournament, Mali cast sight on the next Olympics.
"We are going back and we have to play hard for the next four years," said Mali's guard Hamchetou Maiga. "We will win the African championship again and come back (to the Olympics). I think we will make it better."
(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2008)