Americans (3-0) lean on Diana Taurasi's 25 points, beat Serbia

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Thursday, August 11, 2016

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Diana Taurasi knocked down a personal Olympic best six 3-pointers and finished with 25 points as the United States took a big step Wednesday toward the quarterfinals, routing Serbia 110-84.

Taurasi scored 16 in the first quarter and hit five 3s in the first half, and the Americans (3-0) needed her scoring. After beating their first two opponents by an average of 52.5 points, the Serbians wouldn't go away easily.

Serbia (0-3) had blown leads against both Spain and Canada. The Serbians struggled inside against the bigger Americans, so they shot over the United States and hit 12 of 20 outside the arc.

They played the first quarter almost as well as they could've hoped in taking a 17-16 lead before Taurasi keyed a 15-4 run with three straight 3s.

The U.S. led 56-34 at halftime, leaving only the final margin to be decided.