U.S..s. deniChinaina wwith 27 27-point show Thompsonson

The Denver Post and wire services BEIJING — Team USA's Tina Thompson had taken a behind- the-back drop pass from teammate Tamika Catchings and leaped toward the basket. But Chinese guard Bian Lan ran into Thompson and sent her crashing into the padded protective barrier in front of several photographers. On this day, not even a collision like that could stop Thompson. She released the ball on contact, and it hit the backboard, then it bounced once, twice on the rim, before falling through. In a 108-63 demolition of China at Wukesong Indoor Stadium on Monday, Thompson made almost every shot she took to finish with 27 points. "When somebody is on, the thing you've got to do is get them the ball," Catchings said. Thompson made her first six shots from the field and finished 8-for-9 in the first half with 21 points. She appeared... [read full story]