Mohegan - Asjha Jones was trying to run up court during Sunday's scrimmage between the United States and Australian national teams when Aussie Abby Bishop got in her way.

Jones tried to push her away as she was running and, moments later, gave Bishop her patented death stare.

A scrimmage? Hardly.

"There's no getting around the fact that these guys are ultra-competitve," Team USA coach Geno Auriemma said after Australia beat his team, 87-72. "There's no such thing as a leisurely game of basketball with this crew. Nor was it on (Australia's) part.

"When you're playing for your national team coaches and you know that there's members of the committee watching and you want to take it leisurely, then there's a pretty good chance you won't be back here. These guys are serious about making this team."

The scrimmage was the final stage of USA Basketball's abbreviated training camp in preparation for this fall's FIBA world championships. Closed to the public, the scrimmage was played in a near-empty Mohegan Sun Arena.

“It's who the USA and it's who Australia are," Australian coach Carrie Graf said. "Even in a friendly (game), we're not going to roll over and not have a dip."

Neither team was at full strength. Australia, the defending world champion, was without catalyst Lauren Jackson. The Seattle Storm forward is recovering from a concussion sustained in a July 3 game against the Los Angeles Sparks.

Two-time Olympian Tamika Catchings didn't play for the USA to give her rest.

Sylvia Fowles, and Cappie Pondexter, who both played for the 2008 U.S. Olympic gold medal team, and Kia Vaughn weren't at the scrimmage. The two played in Sunday's Chicago Sky at New York Liberty game.

Also, Alana Beard, Shameka Christon and Candace Parker are all injured.

The Americans led, 59-54, with less than three minutes left in the third quarter when Australia went on a 16-0 run that stretched into the fourth quarter.

Jenna O'Hea (20 points) was among four Australians who scored in double figures.

Diana Taurasi (11 points) and Candice Dupree (10 points, four rebounds) led the USA. UConn senior Maya Moore added eight points.

Tina Charles (seven points), Asjha Jones, Kara Lawson and Renee Montgomery, all members of the Connecticut Sun, also played for Team USA.

All 15 of USA's players saw action as Auriemma and his staff evaluated them.

"I bet 'D' played 20 of the 50 minutes, so they understood what we were trying to do," Auriemma said, referring to Taurasi. "But nobody likes to lose. A lot of times when you're doing scrimmages you play 10 minute, keep score, start all over again, and then it looks like you don't know who won and who lost."

Auriemma grinned and added, "Hopefully it was a really big confidence builder for Australia. Hopefully they go in now thinking that's who we are and that they're going to beat our butts."

Phillips returns

• Former Sun guard Erin Phillips had six points and five rebounds for Australia, playing at the Arena for the first time since the end of last WNBA season.

Phillips didn't return to Connecticut this year and instead took a break after playing in Poland this winter. She hadn't play for Graf, either, so she thought it would be beneficial to stay and train with The Opals.

"I really enjoyed being here," Phillips said. "I'm on very good terms with (Sun head coach) Mike (Thibault) and the staff. I decided it's good for me to be at home.

"It's no secret I tried to get a trade to somewhere that might have worked a little bit better ... playing under people that are on the national team. Things just didn't work out, but on the other hand it did work out for me. I love playing for the national team."

Phillips said she wouldn't rule out returning to Connecticut, but the team already has many guards. She'd be interested in the San Antonio Silver Stars, coached by Sandy Brondello. The two worked together on the national team.

n.griffen@theday.com