World champions Australia took another steady step in a 90-62 win over South Korea in the women's basketball preliminary-round match at the Beijing Olympic Games on Wednesday.

Center Suzy Batkovic scored 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Penny Taylor had 18 points, seven rebounds and four assist, while Lauren Jackson added 16 points and six rebounds to give Australia third consecutive win in the tournament.

The Aussies proved stronger and taller than their opponents as they dominated the board 44-25 and had 54 points inside the paint.

The South Koreans outside shooters were as good as they did in previous games, with Beon Yeon Ha 6-out-of-7 from behind the arc and having a game-high 20 points.

Australia, which are the hottest favorites to win the gold medal, built up an early lead on 23-14 and extended it to 40-20 with a 13-0 run in the second quarter.

South Korea managed only one rally in the second half to close it on 51-44 before the Australians recovered to run away for good.

(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2008 )