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Olympic Basketball Recaps: 3 August (Day 15)

Men's Basketball Gold Medal Game

USA vs. YUG

United States' Dream Team Earns Gold Over Yugoslavia

In a game that was much closer than the final score, the United States captured the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games with a 95-69 victory over Yugoslavia.

In a surprise first half, Yugoslavia led all but the final 3:15 with a patient offensive style and aggressive half-court defense. The game began slowly as the first basket was preceded by nine missed shots and three turnovers between the two squads. When the scoring did start, it was Yugoslavia who got the top hand early. After four ties, the Yugoslavian squad built a seven-point lead at 10:21 on a baseline jumper by Zarko PASPALJ. Yugoslavia continued to lead by five to seven points over the next 3 minutes, but an 11-5 run gave the United States its first lead of the game with 3:15 remaining in the half. Team USA closed the half with a 7-2 run to take a 43-38 advantage at halftime.

In the second half, Yugoslavia closed the gap to one point, 51-50, on a trey by Andrew DJORDJEVIC. Unfortunately for Yugoslavia, just over a minute before that basket center Vlade DIVAC fouled out of the game. That proved to be major problem down the stretch as the Yugoslavian team definitely needed DIVAC's experience in the game.

Ahead 54-52 with 12:56 remaining in the contest, the United States went on a 19-4 run to break the game wide open. During the stretch, the offense for the USA was keyed by a pressure defense that caused Yugoslavia's guards trouble. United States center David ROBINSON tallied 10 points during the run, magnifying DIVAC receiving his fifth foul.

ROBINSON led the United States with 28 points and 7 rebounds. Reggie MILLER and Anfernee HARDAWAY added 20 and 17 points, respectively, to the USA total. PASPALJ led Yugoslavia with 19 points, while DJORDJEVIC added 13 points and 6 assists.

Final Score: USA 95, YUG 69.


Men's Basketball / Finals, Bronze Medal Game

LTU vs. AUS

Lithuania Takes Bronze in 80-74 Thriller Over Australia

In a game which featured 12 lead changes and nine ties, Lithuania captured the bronze medal at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games with an 80-74 victory over Australia.

Play proved early that this would be a very tightly contested game as there were seven lead changes and six ties in the first half alone. Lithuania came out with a quick 6-2 start, but Australia fired right back to tie the game at 6-6 with 17:09 remaining in the first half. The game remained within one point until a 10-0 run by Australia opened a 27-19 lead with 5:49 on the clock.

The Lithuanian squad then attacked from the "Land of Three" as Sarunas MARCIULIONIS and Arvydas SABONIS connected on four consecutive treys to pull to within one, 32-31. Lithuania completed the half with a 5-2 run, capped by Arturas KARNISOVAS' 3-point field goal made with 37 ticks on the clock, to take a 36-34 lead at the break.

Lithuania began the second half as hot as it did the first and opened a quick five-point advantage. Again, Australia battled back on a trifecta by Andrew GAZE to tie the score at 44-44 with 15:41 left in regulation. Five more lead changes followed Australia's comeback as neither team could amass more than a two-point advantage. Lithuania again built an eight-point lead, 67-59, with 6:34 remaining in regulation. Australia once again closed to within one point as Shane HEAL netted a 2-point field goal with his foot on the 3-point line. Lithuania refused to surrender the lead as MARCIULIONIS connected on some key free throws in the final seconds.

SABONIS led Lithuania with 30 points, 13 rebounds and 5 blocked shots, while KARNISOVAS added 21 points. MARCIULIONIS (LTU) also added 16 points and 9 assists for the bronze-medal team. Australia was led by GAZE's 25 points. Scott FISHER and Mark BRADTKE added 13 points each for Australia.

Final Score: LTU 80, AUS 74. Women's Basketball / Finals -- 11th Place

ZAI vs. CAN

Canada Finally Gets Victory, Places 11th

Canada got its first victory in its last game in the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games with an 88-46 defeat of Zaire. With the win, Canada places 11th in these Olympic Games, while Zaire finishes 12th.

Canada made sure that there were no doubts to which team was going to come out victorious in this game by taking a 21-2 advantage at the start. Zaire, which was participating in the Olympic Games for the first time, did not get closer than 16 points the rest of the way.

Beverly SMITH and Diane NORMAN led Canada with 21 and 20 points, respectively. NORMAN also added 10 rebounds. Zaire was led by Lukengu NGALULA's 12 points, while Muene TSHIJUKA added 11 points and 9 rebounds.

Final Score: CAN 88, ZAI 46.


Women's Basketball / Finals -- 9th Place

CHN vs. KOR

China Victorious in Disappointing Game

While China may have been happy with its 85-71 victory over Korea on Saturday, the Chinese squad definitely was not happy with their placing in the 1996 Olympic Games. Just four year's ago, at Barcelona's 1992 Olympic Games, China captured the silver medal. This year, China was expected to compete for a medal as well, but early upset losses ended those hopes. Instead, China placed ninth, while Korea finished 10th.

China scored the first 9 points of the game and built a 14-point lead in the first half. Korea, which trailed 48-39 at halftime, pulled to within 6 points, 48-42, on a 3-point bucket to open the second half. A 14-8 run quickly gave China a double-digit lead that it used to cruise through the remainder of the second period.

ZHENG Haixai, China's imposing 6'9" center, scored a game-high 29 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. CHUN Joo-Weon led Korea with 20 points.

Final Score: CHN 85, KOR 71.


This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.


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