In the final tuneup prior to the London Olympics which start next weekend, the USA women's basketball team defeated Turkey 80-61 on Sunday in what was the closest thing to a scare the squad has suffered during their exhibition season. But in the end, they were too much for the Turkish club as they were led by Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi and Seimone Augustus, who each scored 16 points.
"Turkey's a really good team. A lot of us have played here, played against them," said Taurasi to the Associated Press. "They don't fear anyone. They went into the game with a really good game plan. They'll be a tough team in London. For us, it was good to be tested like that and see some of the resolve we have."
Taurasi is quite familiar with Turkey as she is one of six players on the USA team who have played in Turkey. She has even seen both sides of the fierce rivalry between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray - described by Tamika Catchings as "Connecticut-Tennessee and magnify that by 100" - as she's played for both teams.
The two teams are in the same pool at the Olympics and will play again on August 1.