Defending champion the United States overcame a slow start to trounce New Zealand 99-47 at the Athens Olympics women's basketball tournament opening Saturday in Athens.

New Zealand surprisingly raced to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter of the preliminary pool B match.

Following a time-out called by American Coach Van Chancellor, the United States began to press the New Zealanders from the front court and soon overtook the lead at 23-11 on back of a 23-4 run.

The rest of the match was dominated by the much taller, stronger and faster American women.

Swintayla Cash led the United States with 17 points.

Twelve teams are competing in two preliminary groups at the Athens Olympics with top four finishers from each pool cruising into the quarter-finals.

Source: Xinhua