Whatever the reason, the United States opened up quarterfinals play with a 102-94 win over Spain.

Spain, led by Memphis Grizzlies all-star Pau Gasol, had gone undefeated in Group A play during the preliminaries.  The U.S. team went 3-2 during their week and a half Group B play and missing jumpshot after jumpshot.

After spending over an hour during the team's off day working on his shot, guard Stephon Marbury broke the U.S. men's Olympic record scoring 31 points on 10-15 shooting, including 6-9 from 3-point territory.  Marbury scored 21 of his 31 points in the second half, as he caught fire from the floor.

Tim Duncan jumped the U.S. out to an early 5-0 lead, scoring all five himself.  But Duncan got into early foul trouble and the Americans found themselves in a 25-25 tie with Spain after one quarter of play.

Both teams traded baskets to start the second period.  Then the U.S. went on an 8-0 run to open up a 35-27 lead.  The United States held Spain scoreless for almost four minutes until Gasol made a couple of free throws.  With the U.S. up 38-29, Spain went on an 11-0 run to take a two point lead at 40-38 with just under two minutes remaining in the half.  The Americans made a late surge to gain a 44-43 edge going into halftime.

Team USA took hold early in the third until Spain came back to tie it at 63 with just over two minutes left in the period.  The U.S. went on a 11-4 run to close out the period and take a seven point lead, 74-67, heading into the fourth quarter.

Both teams started the quarter slowly and at one point there wasn't a point scored by either team for over two minutes.  Spain's Jose Calderon brought the team within four at 80-76 with 5:19 to play, but that would be as close as they would get.

Spain coach Mario Pesquera got peeved at a timeout called by U.S. coach Brown with 23 seconds remaining.  Both coaches yelled at each other until they had to be separated by their assistants.

Allen Iverson sported 16 points in the win.  Carlos Boozer added 12 and Lamar Odom scored 11 respectively for the U.S.  LeBron james played six minutes and went 0-2 from the field.

Team USA hit 12 of its 22 3-point attempts after connecting on just 10 of 62 the previous five games.  The U.S. hit on 50 percent from the field while Spain shot 48 percent from the floor.

Spain got the best of the Americans on the boards, 36-30.  The U.S. dished out 16 assists, four each from Iverson and Marbury, while Spain netted just three total.

With the win, the U.S. have now won eight straight over Spain in Olympic play.  The Americans advance to Friday's semifinals play while Spain will play for fifth place.