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Bryant sends US past Argentina

Kobe Bryant scored 27 points, including 15 in the first quarter, as the US easily beat Argentina 91-76 to keep their perfect 7-0 record intact at the FIBA Americas Olympic qualifying tournament.

The US led 49-30 at the half in the battle of the tournament's only remaining undefeated teams in front of a crowd of about 5,500 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday.

But any notion that Argentina would pose the first real test to the US team of NBA stars was dismissed in the opening quarter of the second round match thanks to Bryant's dynamic performance.

"It is not about making LeBron James happy or Kobe Bryant happy or Carmelo Anthony happy," said James, who had 15 points and six rebounds. "It is not about making one guy happy and getting him the most shots. It is about sharing the ball and winning the gold medal."

"If somebody scores we congratulate him and move on," he said. "If we share the ball we give ourselves a good chance."

With the win the US moves on as the No 1 seed in the semi-finals, where they will face Puerto Rico, which beat Canada earlier on Thursday 72-66.

Argentina was playing without four NBA stars -- Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto, Andres Nocioni and Walter Herrmann -- and will now focus on winning their next match against Brazil for a berth in the Beijing Games.

A vocal group of about 150 Argentina fans, wearing their team's blue and white colors, kept up a steady cheer and even drowned out some of the chants of "USA, USA" at the Las Vegas arena.

Carlos Arroyo scored a game-high 22 points, including four from three point range as Puerto Rico beat Canada.

Puerto Rico earned a berth in the semi-finals of the tournament by holding off a spirited fourth quarter rally by the Canadians, who will get a chance compete in Beijing at a second qualifying tournament next July.

Arroyo, a member of the NBA's Orlando Magic, shot nine-for-15 from the field, scoring 10 points in the opening quarter.

Puerto Rico led 35-34 at the half before breaking the game open in the third quarter to take a 58-43 lead into the fourth. Canada fought back in the final quarter as Carl English's steal with 21 seconds left led to a basket and cut Puerto Rico's lead to 68-66.

But Canada couldn't get any closer as Jose Juan Barea made two key free throws with 16 seconds on the clock to give Puerto Rico a four-point cushion.

Filiberto Rivera sealed the win with another pair of free throws with eight seconds left.

Peter Ramos also reached double figures for Puerto Rico with 10 points, while Augelo Reyes had six points and 12 rebounds.

Samuel Dalembert, who plays for the Philadelphia 76ers, led Canada with 13 points.

The 10 teams competing this week are trying to lock up the two automatic berths that will be awarded at this event.

Also on Thursday, Leandro Barbosa scored 32 points as Brazil clinched the third seed in the semi-final round with a 96-62 win over Uruguay.

Uruguay shot just four-for-22 from three-point range, while Brazil connected on seven-for-13 triples and shot 66 percent from the field overall (40-for-61).
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