LONDON (AP) – Tina Charles and Diana Taurasi scored 14 points apiece and the U.S. women’s basketball team cranked up its defense in the second half to beat Australia 86-73 on Thursday and advanced to a fifth straight gold medal game.

The Americans, who had cruised through their first six Olympic games, were challenged by the Australians and 6-foot-8 Liz Cambage.

Australia went right at the U.S. behind its budding star, but once again the Americans depth and pressure defense wore down another opponent.

After Cambage scored 19 first-half points, the U.S. held her scoreless the rest of the game.

The Americans have won 40 consecutive Olympic contests dating back to the bronze medal game in 1992.

Australia and the U.S. had met in the previous three gold medal games. This was the first time they had played in the semifinals since 1996. Australia will play for the bronze medal.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) – Former Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino expresses regret for the affair that led to his April firing, and says he hopes to coach again.

Petrino, speaking publicly for the first time since his firing in an interview with ESPN, admits to the affair with former football staffer Jessica Dorrell and says he is in counseling with this wife, Becky.

The former Atlanta Falcons and Louisville coach was fired by Arkansas on April 10 for a “pattern of misleading” behavior following an April 1 motorcycle accident. Petrino initially said he was the only passenger but later admitted to Dorrell’s presence and that he had given her $20,000 in gifts.

Petrino was 34-17 in four seasons with the Razorbacks. He says he won’t coach this season but hopes to get one more chance.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) – Minnesota’s second-round draft pick Robbie Hummel says he will play in Europe rather than the NBA next season.

Hummel tells the Lafayette Journal and Courier he has agreed to a deal with El Obradoiro, which plays in Spain’s top professional league.

He says the deal was made with the approval of the Timberwolves, who drafted Hummel 58th overall in June. Hummel says Minnesota has a lot of forwards on the roster, but believes the Timberwolves and the NBA are still in his future.

Hummel starred at Purdue and was considered their top player until tearing the ACL in his right knee twice in less than 12 months.

He finished ninth on the Boilermakers’ career scoring list (1,772), fourth in rebounds (862), fourth in 3-pointers (216) and seventh in blocks (112).

AMERICAN LEAGUE
N-Y Yankees at Detroit 12:05 p.m.
Toronto at Tampa Bay 12:10 p.m.
Boston at Cleveland 6:05 p.m.
Kansas City at Baltimore 6:05 p.m.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Miami at N-Y Mets 11:10 p.m.
San Francisco at St. Louis 12:45 p.m.
Arizona at Pittsburgh 3:05 p.m.
Cincinnati at Chi Cubs 7:05 p.m.
Washington at Houston 7:05 p.m.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE PRESEASON
Washington at Buffalo 6:00 p.m.
Baltimore at Atlanta 6:30 p.m.
New Orleans at New England 6:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Philadelphia 6:30 p.m.
Green Bay at San Diego 7:00 p.m.
Denver at Chicago 7:30 p.m. (LISTEN LIVE on ESPN Radio 1410)