Americans Richards, Jones blow leads on track

The United States got its only men’s individual medal when Jonathan Horton soared through an energetic high bar routine that drew almost as loud a roar as Zou’s performance. Horton was second to Zou and also won bronze with the U.S. men in the team finals.

Altogether, the Americans won 10 medals; the U.S women won eight, compared to six for China. The 10 medals surpassed the U.S. total of nine in Athens.

Liukin got a gold, three silver and a bronze to tie the record for an American in one games.

Women’s basketball

Not that there was much doubt, but the U.S. women are headed back to the Final Four of this tournament.

Sylvia Fowles had 26 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Americans on their latest rout, a 104-60 victory over South Korea. The Americans have made the medal round in every Olympics they’ve entered, and have won 31 straight games since losing in the 1992 semifinals.

The Americans will play Becky Hammon and Russia in the semifinals Thursday night. Russia rallied to beat Spain 84-65 Tuesday night. China plays Australia in the other semifinal.

The Aussies advanced with a 79-46 victory over the Czech Republic. China moved on with a 77-62 victory over Belarus. It’s the first time the Chinese are in the medal round since taking silver in 1992.

Baseball

Despite losing its opener, losing one key player to a gruesome injury and seeing another key player get hurt, the U.S. is headed to the medal round.

The Americans advanced with a 4-2 victory over Taiwan, powered by John Gall’s go-ahead homer and a solid outing by pitcher Brandon Knight. The final prelim test comes Wednesday night against medal favorite Japan. The semifinals start Friday.

South Korea and Cuba are advancing, too. Those teams squared off in a battle of unbeatens, and South Korea won 7-4.

“Since we beat the U.S. in our opener, the good luck has stayed with us so far,” South Korea manager Kim Kyung-moon said.

Also, Canada beat the Netherlands 4-0 and Japan beat China 10-0.

Diving

China is up to 6-for-6 in its bid for all eight golds.

He Chong easily won the men’s 3-meter springboard, getting 11 perfect marks of 10.0 in the six-round final. This is the fourth consecutive Olympics China has won this event.

American Troy Dumais was sixth for the third straight Olympics. Teammate Chris Colwill was 12th and last.

MORE FROM BEIJING OLYMPICS NEWS

Beijing Olympics News Section Front

China’s gold medalists to receive $51,000 each China ends 'truly exceptional games' Castro defends athlete who kicked judge in face Beijing prepares for Olympic venues’ future China deports 10 activists after ceremony After victory, China's sports system at crossroads IOC president says Olympics opened up China New China? Bird's Nest replaces Mao on yuan Celizic: Phelps, Bolt will go down as Beijing's main men IOC: No proof China cheated in gymnastics Beijing Olympics News Section Front   Add Beijing Olympics News headlines to your news reader: