TEMPLE'S STALEY LEADS U.S. TO GOLD IN ATHENS

ATHENS, GREECE - With chants of "U-S-A" echoing throughout the arena, Temple women's basketball coach Dawn Staley, the undisputed leader of the United States women's basketball team, calmly stepped to the line and sank two free throws to seal a 74-63 victory over Australia in the 2004 Olympic gold medal game. For Staley, who previously stated that anything less than a gold medal was failure, it was a fitting end to an experience that began with her being selected to carry the American flag in the Games' opening ceremonies. The Owls' coach is now one of three women to capture three consecutive Olympic gold medals (teammates Lisa Leslie and Sheryl Swoopes are the others).

It was a hard fought win for the U.S. squad, who trailed by as many as four points in the third quarter, the first time it was behind in a second half in this Olympics. But Staley, literally a coach on the floor, refused to let her team fall.

The United States had an unblemsihed, 7-0 record in Athens and improved to 42-3 overall in Olympic play. Tina Thompson led the Americans with 18 points. Staley, who went on a scoring binge in the pivotal third quarter, was USA's number two scorer with 14 points. "This was awesome!" said Staley, who has said that this is her last Olympics. "It was a competitive game with some very talented players, but we all stepped up and grabbed the gold. I get to go out on top, in style."

Temple University Athletics

TEMPLE'S STALEY LEADS U.S. TO GOLD IN ATHENS

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