RIO DE JANEIRO _ The U.S. women's team isn't accustomed to close games.
Early in the third quarter on Tuesday, however, the U.S. couldn't shake off a smaller but determined Japan.
But beating Team USA requires a near-perfect effort on both ends of the floor _ and eventually the U.S. overwhelmed Japan.
Behind a strong defensive effort in the second half, the U.S. coasted to a 110-64 victory after Japan had cut the lead to six early in the third quarter.
The U.S. advances to the semifinals on Thursday when it will face the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between France and Canada.
