Team USA Pulls Away From Australia In Second Half

Just when it seems like a team is going to make the U.S. men's basketball team work, the Americans just kick it up a notch and put the game out of reach.

Team USA led by just three early in the third quarter, but used a barrage of three-pointers to blow out Australia, 119-86, to advance to the semifinals against Argentina.

Kobe Bryant led Team USA with 20 points, all in the second half. Bryant hit six three-pointers, including four on four consecutive possessions that ballooned the U.S. lead from 15 to 25, and effectively ended any threat the Aussies might pose.

LeBron James added a triple-double with 11 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists for Team USA, while Deron Williams chipped in 18 points.

The Oklahoma City Thunder Big Three of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden combined to score 27 points in the victory, including a pair of vicious dunks from Harden in the closing minutes.

The Australians were led by Patty Mills, who scored 26 points in a losing effort.

The U.S. led by as many as 16 in the first half, but Australia cut the led to just three at 56-53 on a Joe Ingles three-pointer with 8:27 remaining in the third quarter. However, that's as close as Australia would get.

Team USA will face Argentina on Friday for the right to play in the gold medal game at 3 p.m. CST.