U.S. defeats Mexico in Olympic qualifier

LAS VEGAS -- It wasn't quite "40 minutes of hell." It was the best anyone has done yet against the United States.

Nolan Richardson's Mexico team kept the game respectable into the second half before the Americans pulled away for a 127-100 victory Monday night in the second round of the FIBA Americas tournament.

Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points, tying the American record in an Olympic qualifier. He had 16 in a sensational opening quarter, when the Americans shot 80 percent from the field.

Kobe Bryant added 21 points, and LeBron James and Dwight Howard had 19 apiece for the United States, which led by only 15 points midway through the third quarter

The Americans faced Puerto Rico late Tuesday night.

-- AP