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"Dream Team" beats French to complete another golden run

From Sports Illustrated • SI Images: Photos from the Games • Leigh Montville: The skinny on Fatso • Phil Taylor: U.S. basketball still steps ahead • Jack McCallum: Wrestling -- Too many cooks a recipe for no golds • Grant Wahl: Future holds more success for soccer teams • Richard Hoffer: Boxers, coaches feel frustration of two opponents More Features • Day at a Glance: Back for one more • Viewers' Guide: Oct. 1 • Quiz: Today's Tester Multimedia • Photo Gallery: So long, mates • Photo Gallery:Shots of the Day • Multimedia Central: Photo Galleries, Video and More

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SYDNEY, Oct 1 (AFP) - The United States "Dream Team", led by 13 points each from Vince Carter and Ray Allen, fought off a second-half challenge to defeat France 85-75 here Sunday in the Olympic men's basketball gold medal final.

It was the third consecutive US Olympic title since the "Dream Team" concept began in 1992 and 12th US gold medal since the sport's 1936 Olympic debut. France settled for silver, equalling its only prior men's hoop medal from 1948.

Two days after narrowly escaping an epic upset with an 85-83 semi-final triumph over Lithuania, the US collection of National Basketball Association stars struggled again.

The Americans, who beat France 106-94 in qualifying, pulled ahead early only to squander most of a 17-point lead to France the way they did all of a 14-point edge on Lithuania.

A 16-4 French run sparked by two Stephane Risacher three-pointers pulled France within 76-72 with 4:24 to play, igniting the day's loudest cheers from a crowd of 14,833 sensing another US struggle.

But Kevin Garnett answered with two clutch baskets sandwiched around two Alonzo Mourning free throws to boost the margin back to 82-72.

And after two Antoine Rigaudeau free throws, Carter made a reverse slam dunk that gave the US an 84-74 lead and stole French momentum for good.

Carter blew a kiss to the fans who have booed him throughout the tournament for good measure.

A 25-7 spurt over 7:42 gave the NBA lineup its biggest lead at 31-14. The US edge was 46-32 at half-time and 62-46 with 12:06 to play when France began its challenge.

After an 0-for-11 French start from three-point range, Laurent Sciarra and Laurent Foirest sank back-to-back three-pointers to open a 10-2 run that pulled France within 64-56 with 10 minutes to go.

Allen connected on back-to-back three-pointers and made a fast break layup for eight consecutive points that doubled the US edge to 72-56, setting the stage for the final French fightback.

Sciarra led France with 19 points while Risacher added 15. Vin Baker added 11 points for the US team.

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