Jackson ends war of words with U.S.

By Alastair Himmer

BEIJING (Reuters) - Australia's Lauren Jackson drew the sting out of a potential war of words with the United States women's basketball team on Saturday following a row over rough play.

Team mate Kristi Harrower had accused the Americans of deliberately trying to hurt them during a spiteful warm-up game which left Australia's Penny Taylor with a black eye.

Jackson herself warned there could be "broken bones" but Australia's captain declared a ceasefire in the verbal jousting, denying the U.S. were a dirty team.

"In any contact sport there's going to be physical play," Jackson told Reuters after world champions Australia began their Olympic campaign by beating Belarus 83-64.

"I've had broken noses, I've had broken fingers, I've had black eyes. My point was there is no way anyone would go out to intentionally hurt anyone.

"I think someone made the case that they were trying to hurt us but I don't believe for one second that's true."

The American players, bidding to win a fourth straight Olympic title, believed the Australians were over-reacting after their 71-67 loss in Haining earlier in the week.

"The U.S. copped as well as they gave," Jackson acknowledged. "We hit them back too. It's the nature of the sport and when you're as competitive as our two teams are it's going to get physical.

"But there is no way in the world any of their players were trying to hurt any one of us. A lot of us play in the WNBA so we know those girls very well. Two of my best friends are on that team."

Jackson added: "We can't think about the U.S. too much yet. We can't count on getting to the gold medal game so we've got to focus on the games ahead."

The Americans face the Czech Republic in their opening game later on Saturday.

(Editing by Steve Ginsburg)

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