The United States edged Australia 71-67 on Tuesday, taking the title of the 2008 FIBA Diamond Ball for women, which serves as a warm-up for the Beijing Olympics.

The thrilling final, which was called the pre-final of the women's tournament at the Beijing Olympics, witnessed seven-time lead changes and six-time tie. The Olympic defending champion the United States were luck to win the battle in the end.

The US and Australia, who was runner-up four years ago and world champion in 2006, won their all two preliminary round games before they met in Haining, and will play the Olympic opening round games in different groups.

The Americans will play against China, Spain, the Czech Republic, Mali and New Zealand in the preliminary games in Beijing, while Australia has to finish the Group A after matchups with Brazil, Belarus, Latvia and South Korea.

The US broke the open Tuesday and started the second quarter with a 17-8 run for a 35-21 lead with 1:40 minutes to play in the quarter after a 16-15 narrow edge and 35 percent poor shooting in the first quarter.

Improving their defense, the Australians fought back strongly after Penny Taylor's layup a second before the break that cut the disadvantage to six points, 29-35, with a 21-15 spurt with the help including Lauren Jackson's 3-pointer and Taylor's shoot to tie the game, 50-50 with 1:55 minutes left in the third quarter.

Then the US kept the lead and never allowed the opponent to tie again but close to one point, 61-62, with 5:40 minutes remaining.

Lisa Leilie led the Americans with 14 points, Candace Parker hit 12 and Sue Bird 11. The Team USA shot 29-for-68 for a 43 percent and held Australia 24-for-67 for a 36 percent including 2-for-15 from long rang.

Taylor tossed in 19 points for Australia, her teammates Jackson, who was awarded as the MVP of the tournament by reporters, added 16 and Summerton got 10.

Earlier Tuesday, China defeated Latvia 63-51 to finish third place, while Russia won over Mali 79-52 for fifth place.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)