The U.S. National Team was on a mission to put Argentina away early as it scored 35 points in the first quarter en route to a 118-81 gold-medal victory at the FIBA Americas Championship on Sunday. The U.S. Team, which already clinched a spot at the 2008 Olympic Games, shot a red hot 57.5 percent from the field, including 49 percent from 3-point range, thanks to LeBron James (31 points, 8-of-11 from 3-point range), Dwight Howard (20 points, 7-of-7 from the field) and Carmelo Anthony (16 points, 4-of-8 from 3-point range).

LAS VEGAS, September 2, 2007 (AP) -- LeBron James put a record finish on the Americans' dominance in the desert.

James scored a team-record 31 points as the United States beat Argentina 118-81 on Sunday to win the FIBA Americas championship.

Dwight Howard made all seven of his shots and scored 20 points, and Carmelo Anthony added 16 points for the American team while winning 10 games in 12 days and will head to Beijing next summer as one of the gold medal favorites.

James finished the tournament shooting 76 percent from the field - his percentage actually dropped from 76.5 after he made 11 of 15 shots. He was 8-of-11 from three-point range and also led the tournament in that category, hitting 62 per cent.

The game was close for six minutes before the United States blew it open with an 18-0 run. The Americans scored the final 15 points of the first quarter, then Chauncey Billups opened the second with a three-pointer for a 38-14 lead.

At one point in the second, the Americans scored five consecutive baskets on dunks - three by Howard and two by James, with each having one set up by Kobe Bryant, who had a quiet scoring night, but had eight assists. When Howard dunked with 4:58 remaining to push the lead to 51-21, Team USA  had 16 assists on 18 field goals.

Team America led 59-34 at halftime after shooting 57 per cent. Averaging 59.7 points in the first half during the tournament their closest lead at the break was 14 points.

LBJ then hit four three-pointers in the third on his way to passing Anthony and Allen Iverson, who had both scored 28 points in an Olympic qualifying game.

COUNTRIES QUALIFYING FOR THE
FIBA AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP 2007

1. United States (Host Country)
   
2. Canada (North America)
   
3. Argentina (South America)
   
4. Brazil (South America)
   
5. Uruguay(South America)
   
6. Venezuela (South America)
   
7. Mexico (Central America and Caribbean)
8. Panama (Central America and Caribbean)
   
9. Puerto Rico (Central America and Caribbean)
10. U.S. Virgin Islands (Central America and Caribbean)