from San Jose State, Muhammad was suspended for the first three

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Diana Taurasi and the U.S. womens basketball team opened their Olympics with a record rout.The Americans were not expected to be challenged on Sunday by Senegal, and the only real suspense was how many records they would set. When it ended, they had set three Olympic marks: Points scored in a game, margin of victory and assists.The players and the US coaching staff were happy with how the team set the records.With a team of WNBA MVPs and All-Stars, the Americans constantly made the extra pass on offense that led to open shots or layups in the 121-56 victory. Sue Bird had eight of the teams US record 36 assists.When we move the ball like that and the ball doesnt get stuck and the defense has to guard us at all five spots on the floor, thats just a tough task for anybody, U.S. coach Geno Auriemma said. Especially in the first half we shot the lights out, we shot great. ... It was really fun.Well, maybe not for everyone.The Brazilian fans tried to spur on the African country, cheering loudly every time they scored and booing the U.S. when the Americans had the ball. The fans even shouted down a brief U.S. chant with a Senegal one. The Americans were used to that having last played in Brazil in 2006 when they lost in the semifinals of the world championship. Thats the last time the U.S. lost a game in a major tournament.We played in Sao Paolo in the world championships and we played against Russia, Bird said. And it was in Brazil again and we lost that game, and the entire place was chanting Russia. I mean every single person. Were used to that.It showed. The American reached the 100-point mark for the 15th time in Olympic history early in the fourth quarter and Breanna Stewart hit a 3-pointer with 3 minutes left to top the Olympic record 114 points the Americans had against China in 2012. They also broke the largest margin of victory in US history which had been a 60-point win over Zaire in 1996 .When you think about it, its really cool to know that history it went that far back and we were able to break it today in our first game, Stewart said. We hope to play even better in our next one.The Americans were a 57.5-point favorite coming into the contest. Taurasi swished her early 3-pointers as the U.S. raced out to a 27-5 lead. The Americans led 35-9 after the first quarter and by 43 at the half en route to a 42nd consecutive Olympic win.Both US basketball teams opened with dominated victories. The womens performance came less than 24 hours after the mens team opened with a 57-point rout of China.More than anything, regardless of the score, its beautiful basketball. Were sharing the ball, Bird said. I dont even know how many points we scored, 100 and whatever. ... We share the ball, we move the ball, we make the right plays at the right time, and that to me is a great brand of basketball.First-time Olympians Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne and Stewart all had their first taste of the Games. Griner had 14 points, seven rebounds and two blocks. Stewart, who won four titles under Auriemma at UConn, scored 15 points, tied for the team lead with Taurasi and Sylvia Fowles. Stewart also had two on a nifty alley-oop layup from Bird. Delle Donne added 11.We looked around and said that the three of them played like they were Olympic veterans, Auriemma said. It didnt look at all like there was any sign of nervousness or tentativeness or deferring to the other players. I was thoroughly impressed and really, really happy the way it played out for them. The perfect way for this to start.Senegal was playing in its second Olympics. The African nation lost all six of its games in 2000. Nigeria is still the only African country to win an Olympic contest, getting a victory in 2004.I dont think were really disappointed, said Senegal guard Aya Traore, who played at Purdue on the 2005-06 Sweet 16 team. This is the second time for Senegal to be in the Olympics, and for our group, this is the first time. So playing against the U.S., whos been here every Olympics and world champions and last Olympic gold medalists, what can you expect more? For us, were just happy to be here. We learned a lot of things today and hopefully, were going to take the things with us moving forward.The Americans could face a little stiffer test Monday when they take on Spain. The Spaniards beat Serbia 65-59 in their opener. In other games on Sunday, Australia edged Turkey 61-56 and France topped Belarus 73-72 on a last-second shot.---Follow Doug on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dougfeinbergThrowback Wizards Jerseys . 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That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games.LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- JaQuan Newton had 20 points and Anthony Lawrence added 18 as Miami beat Stanford 67-53 in the opening round Thursday of the AdvoCare Invitational.Bruce Brown chipped in 10 points for the Hurricanes (4-0).Stanford (4-1) got 15 points from Dorian Pickens, while Reid Travis had 11. Pickens has scored in double figures in nine of his last 10 games, dating to last season.Lawrence scored all of his points during the second half after being limited to five scoreless minutes in the first half due to foul trouble.I think they were just giving me the ball in the right moments, Lawrence said. My teammates were penetrating, kicking it to me. Once I hit the first one, I felt like I was on fire.Newton helped pick up the slack in the opening 20 minutes by scoring 12.Brown had a couple layups during Miamis 18-4 run over the final eight minutes of the game.The Hurricanes shot 62.5 percent (15 for 24) in the second half.I think our team does have a great deal of character and resiliency, Stanford coach Jerod Haase said. Were going to find that out. We have to get back to who we are. I thought the first half we did some nice things. Then the second half there were some breakdowns.Stanford, which lead by nine early on, took a 27-23 advantage at halftime.It wasnt frustrating at all in the first half, Newton said. It was more, weve just got to play better, play harder. We knew on the offensive end we werent playing as good as were capable of. We decided to keep iit going on the defensive end.dddddddddddd We kept doing that, and that led to our offense.BIG PICTUREStanford: The Cardinal were bidding to have their first 5-0 start since 2011-12.Miami: The Hurricanes announced before the game that junior guard Rashad Muhammad will no longer be part of the program for failure to meet team expectations. After sitting out last season following his transfer from San Jose State, Muhammad was suspended for the first three games this season for violation of team rules. He was looked at as a player that could help after the departure of last seasons leading scorers, Sheldon McClellan and Angel Rodriguez.DJ DOWNERMiami freshman guard DJ Vasiljevic was held to three points after averaging 11.7 in his first three games. He made visits to Miami and Stanford and chose the Hurricanes because he liked Miami coach Jim Larranaga and the weather.NUMBERS GAMETravis has 10 rebounds as Stanford outrebounded Miami 34-30. ... Stanford had 18 turnovers that resulted in 20 Miami points. ... The Cardinal scored four points on the 11 Miami turnovers.UP NEXTStanford: The Cardinal will play Indiana State, which lost 73-71 to No. 21 Iowa State Thursday, in Fridays consolation round.Miami: The Hurricanes, who got votes in this weeks AP Top-25 poll, get a chance to impress the voters with a semifinal matchup Friday against Iowa State. ' ' '