With a margin of victory above 30 points through their first six games in London, Team USA came into their semifinal game against Australia on a 40-win streak that extends over a decade.
However, the Aussies, who had lost to Team USA in the last three Olympic semifinals, were expected to give the Americans more of a challenge, and they delivered on Thursday.
Behind their mammoth front-line of 6'8 Liz Cambage and 6'5 Lauren Jackson, Australia led Team USA at half-time 47-43. The second half was a different story, as the Americans came out determined to protect the paint and make the Aussies beat the from the perimeter.
Cambage had scored 19 points in the first half, but she was held without a point in the second, as the Americans advanced to the gold medal game with an 86-73.
Angel McCoughtry of the Atlanta Dream had a solid game off the bench, giving Geno Auriemma's club 4 points and 2 assists on 1-3 shooting while playing 9 minutes.
Team USA will play the winner of the France/Russia semifinal for the gold on Saturday.
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