The U.S., which takes on Jamaica (0-1) Thursday in a 1:30 p.m. (EDT) game that will be televised live by NBA TV, must win the gold medal at the eight-team tournament in order to secure a slot in the 2008 Olympic women’s basketball tournament.

"I think it was a great win for us. Cuba is a great team and we’ve known that for a long time. They’re very solid," said USA and Seattle Storm head coach Anne Donovan. "The difference between this game and games in the past is that we’ve come out strong and shot the ball real well in the first quarter to make them lose their confidence in themselves. Tonight that wasn’t the case and they kept their confidence throughout the game. I have to hand it to Cuba, they played a great game. You could see how well they play together. And then give credit to us for pulling that nice win out with good execution in the fourth quarter."

Facing an athletic and well organized Cuban squad, the USA’s short preparation time together became evident early on as the islanders kept pace with the North Americans through most of the game and with a little over four minutes to play the game was deadlocked at 71-71.

Eyeing a zone defense Bird drove to the hoop, bringing defenders with her and kicked it out to Smithwho nailed a 3-pointer from the left side. Following a Cuban turnover Bird and Smith combined for a nearly identical play -- this time Smith was beyond the arc in the middle of the court -- and with 3:41 remaining the USA was up 77-71.

"I’m glad I could do my part," said Smith. "It gave us a little energy when it was needed, but I got some good picks from my teammates in that zone, Sue got me the ball and I’m just glad I was able to contribute and do my part. It kind of got us on a little bit of a roll, gave us a little bit of a cushion in the home stretch. Then everyone else helped take it home."

Cuba National Team veteran Yayma Boulet was able to wedge a bucket into what became an 11-2 run that saw Parker cap it with a leaning layup at 2:06, giving the United Sates an 82-73 advantage.

The red, white and blue kept up its intensity and closed out the night with the win.

"I’m really pleased with how composed we were," said Donovan. "Down the stretch you’ve got Katie (Smith), who has great experience, Sue’s (Bird) got good experience, you have Candace Parker who is 20-years-old in the post, Becky Brunson who has no international experience with this team playing in the post also. And then Seimone Augustus has some experience playing with the national team, but not a lot of floor experience. So that last crew I thought finished that game off very well and I’m really pleased with where we are right now."

In addition to the scoring contributions by Parker, Smith, Taurasi and Thompson, DeLisha Milton-Jones (Washington Mystics) and Thompson grabbed six boards apiece and Bird was credited with four steals.

Cuban Olympian Yakelyn Plutin paced her side with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

The USA, which shot a respectable 44.4 percent (8-18 3pt FGs) from beyond the arc, was outrebounded 42-37 by Cuba.

In the day’s early game Canada (1-0) defeated Jamaica 68-47. On tap for tonight’s games are Brazil versus Argentina and host Chile takes on Mexico.

Donovan is being assisted by 2006 WNBA Coach of the Year Mike Thibault of the Connecticut Sun and collegiate head coaches Gail Goestenkors of the University of Texas and Temple University’s (Pa.) Dawn Staley.

Teams finishing in second, third and fourth place at the 2007 FIBA Americas tournament will have one final chance to earn a spot in Beijing’s 12-nation field at the 2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Those three nations along with nine other national teams from around the globe who did not claim gold at the remaining FIBA zones, including two from Africa (silver and bronze medalists), two from Asia (silver and bronze medalists), four from Europe (second through fourth place finishers) and one from Oceania (silver medalist), will compete for the final five Olympic slots at the 2008 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.