GOODWILL GAMES : U.S. Women Rush Out to Good Start

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — Ruthie Bolton-Holifield is a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army reserve, but that’s not where she learned to be tough. That came growing up in a family of 22.

“This is who you want to bring into battle with you,” said Tara VanDerveer, coach of the U.S. women’s basketball team at the Goodwill Games.

Bolton-Holifield is the leader of a team seeking its first gold medal in a major women’s basketball tournament since 1990. The Americans pummeled Italy, 92-37, Wednesday in their opening game, with Bolton-Holifield and Sheryl Swoopes each scoring 15 points.

In the day’s other first-round game, favored China defeated Canada, 77-51, with 29 points and 14 rebounds from 7-0 Xheng Haixia.

Five other Americans finished in double figures--Shanda Berry with 13, Carla McGhee with 12, Jennifer Azzi with 11 and Lisa Leslie and Clarissa Davis with 10 each.