WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: U.S. REP REMAINS INTACT WOMEN HOLD OFF RUSSIA; AUSSIE SHOWDOWN NEXT U.S. 66, RUSSIA 62.

Byline: Mirjam Swanson Staff Writer

ATHENS, Greece - The margin of victory for the United States' women's basketball team continues to shrink and Russia's Elena Baranova says today's gold-medal game against Australia will not be a slam dunk for the Americans.

Baranova said after a 66-62 loss Friday to the U.S. that she sensed fear in the team that extended its Olympic winning streak to 24 games and easily won gold in the past two Summer Games.

``For us, if we lose, it's OK,'' she said. ``For them, if they lose, it's their reputation.''

It's a reputation forged by a 41-4 overall Olympic record. With 11 WNBA all-stars and college Player of the Year Diana Taurasi on their roster, the Americans are favored to win their third consecutive gold medal.

It's a lofty reputation to uphold, and U.S. captain Dawn Staley said she is trying to drill into her younger teammates just what winning would mean.

``(The concern) is them not being focused,'' Staley said. ``They have to let themselves be consumed by this, they can't ge caught up with all the other events. It's not just a game, it's gold medals, its your country, it's reputations on the line.''

U.S. coach Van Chancellor, traditionally a believer in short rotations, is going with the veteran players and Taurasi, who graduated from UConn this year.

``We can go really deep,'' said the 34-year-old Staley, who, with Sheryl Swoopes (33), and the Sparks' Lisa Leslie (32), has been a part of the past two U.S. Olympic teams.

``But at the end of the game, you have to have your veterans on the court.''

Russia had chances throughout the game, trailing 37-33 at the half and holding the Americans scoreless for nearly five minutes in the third quarter. They got within 45-44 with 49 seconds left in the period.

That's when Taurasi stepped in, driving the left baseline and draining a floater to kick-start a 7-0 run. Taurasi had six points in 19 minutes on 3-for-10 shooting.

Leslie, who will have her hands full with Australia's Lauren Jackson, last year's WNBA MVP, scored 11 points and had a team-high seven rebounds.

In the final six minutes, Leslie pulled down three big rebounds, scored five points and caused a jump ball that gave possession to the Americans.

Former USC standout Tina Thompson, the 29-year-old, eight-year WNBA veteran playing in her first Olympics, made a jumper that extended the lead to eight with 2:39 left.

But it was Swoopes, quiet offensively for much of the game, who scored two huge baskets in the final minutes.

After Russia's Oxana Rakhmatulina sank a 3-pointer to bring her team within 60-58 with 4:23 to play, Swoopes coolly answered by working the shot clock. She patiently waited until a Russian defender flew by then sank a medium-range jumper at the buzzer to make it a four-point game.

On Russia's next possession, Swoopes was there to rebound a missed shot then made another jumper at the other end of the court.

``That's what she does in crunch time,'' said Thompson, Swoopes' teammate with Houston. ``It's definitely familiar.''

After Swoopes' second basket, the Russians unraveled, getting called for an offensive foul and a traveling violation.

``We had a chance to win the game, but we didn't score,'' Baranova said.

The Australians, who defeated Brazil to reach the final, lead all teams with an 85.7 point average. Behind Jackson, they are brimming with confidence.

``They've been talking a whole lot,'' Staley said. ``They've been saying they want us in the gold-medal game, that it would be fitting for them to strip us of the gold we won (in Sydney.)

``But I'm from North Philly, so ain't too many people taking things from me.''

Mirjam Swanson, [phone]

mirjam.swanson(at)sbsun.com

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Photo:

Lisa Leslie blocks a shot from Russia's Olga Arteshina in the first quarter of the U.S.'s semifinal victory Friday. The Americans meet Australia in the gold-medal game today.

Dusan Vranic/Associated Press