During a two-day preliminary hearing that ended Wednesday, both sides showed hints of their strategy. Prosecutors alleged the NBA superstar forced himself on the 19-year-old Eagle, Colo., woman, and Bryant's attorneys attacked her credibility.

Judge Frederick Gannett hoped to decide by Monday whether to order Bryant to stand trial on the sexual assault charge. The woman accused the Los Angeles Lakers guard of raping her June 30 at the mountain resort where she worked. Bryant has said the two had consensual sex.

Bryant has the right to a trial within six months of entering a plea. The defense could appeal a decision to bind the case over for trial, but legal analysts say such a move would be unusual.