USA vs. AUS
United States Victorious Over Australia in Meeting of Undefeated Squads
In a Group B showdown, the United States remained undefeated and handed Australia its first loss with a 96-79 victory at the 1996 Olympic Games. Team USA is now 4-0 in the Olympic Games and an amazing 56-0 over the past year. Australia fell to 3-1 and holds second place in Group B.
With the United States holding a slim 60-58 lead with just more than 15 minutes remaining in the game, the USA went on a 20-8 run to gain some breathing room. After the initial spurt by the United States' offense, Australia could not cut the lead below 9 points. The United States ended the game with a 10-2 run to record the victory.
Katrina McCLAIN led the United States with 24 points and 11 rebounds. McCLAIN also connected on 12-of-14 field goals. Also leading the USA were Teresa EDWARDS with 20 points, Sheryl SWOOPES with 17 points and Lisa LESLIE's 16 points. Michele TIMMS (AUS) connected on four 3-point field goals on her way to a game-high 26 points.
Final Score: USA 96, AUS 79.
Women's Preliminaries/Group A
RUS vs. CAN
Russia Moves Into Tie for Second Place in Group A With Win Over Canada
Russia guaranteed itself a spot in the medal round with a 68-49 victory over Canada in Group A action of the 1996 Olympic Games. Russia is now 3-1 overall, while Canada is winless after its first three games and has no chance of advancing into the medal round.
The game was close throughout the first half before Russia began to pull ahead late in the period for a 35-29 halftime advantage. In the second half, Russia gradually pulled away for the big margin in the end. Yevgeniya NIKONOVA led Russia with 18 points, while Yelena BARANOVA (RUS) added 16 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Diane NORMAN led Canada with 15 points and 8 rebounds.
Final Score: RUS 68, CAN 49.
ITA vs. JPN
Italy Runs Record to 3-1 With 66-52 Victory Over Japan
Italy remains the surprise team during the women's basketball competition at the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games after defeating Japan 66-52. The Italian women now have a 3-1 record, with two of the wins coming over favored China and Canada. The main factor for Italy during the 1996 Olympic Games is the strength of its defense, which is allowing just 59.8 points per game.
Japan, which needed the win to have any hopes of advancing to the medal round, jumped out to an early 13-8 lead in the first 5 minutes of action. Takako KATO tallied six of the first 13 points to help Japan move out to the early lead. Italy came back to tie the game later in the first half, but Japan pulled out to a 30-27 lead at halftime.
Japan continued to lead the contest through the opening of the second half and held a 41-36 lead with a little more than 13 minutes remaining in the game. Italy's defense then strengthened and the offense kicked in as Italy outscored Japan 18-0 over the next 9 minutes. During the stretch, Catarina POLLINI (ITA) netted eight of her 13 points to lead Italy in building a 54-41 advantage with just 4:44 left to play.
Joining POLLINI in leading Italy to its third victory was Lorenza ARNETOLI, who also netted 13 points. Mara FULLIN added 11 points and 11 rebounds to Italy's attack. Chikako MURAKAMI led Japan with 13 points, while Aki ICHIJO added 11 points and 9 rebounds.
Final Score: ITA 66, JPN 52.
Women's Preliminaries/Group A
BRA vs. CHN
Brazil Remains Undefeated in Pool A, China Holding on to Slim Hope for Medal Round
Brazil's 98-83 victory over China gave it a perfect 4-0 record in Pool A play and almost assures the Brazilians of the top seed from their group. Meanwhile, the loss places defending silver medalist China in a very tough situation. The Chinese are 1-3 in Group A and are facing possible elimination from the medal round. A victory against Russia is almost a must on Monday afternoon if China's hopes of advancing are to continue.
In tonight's game, the high scoring Brazilians jumped out to a quick 12-2 lead as Janeth ARCAIN (BRA) connected on a 3-pointer with 16:49 remaining in the first half. China's LIU Jun brought her squad back to within 7 points at 37-30 on a layup with less than 6 minutes remaining in the opening period. The Brazilians then closed out the half with a 14-8 run and led 51-38 at the break. Brazil continued to dominate in the second half as it cruised to the easy victory. ARCAIN led Brazil with 26 points and 9 rebounds, while China was led by HE Jun's 22-point effort. China's 6-9 center ZHENG Haixia was hampered by foul problems and tallied just 3 points and 2 boards.
Final Score: BRA 98, CHN 83.
ZAI vs. KOR
Korea Betters Chances of Advancing With Victory Over Zaire
Korea ran its record in Group B to 2-2 and bettered its chances of advancing to the medal round with a 95-71 victory over Zaire. For much of the first half, Zaire hung close to Korea. Zaire's Mabika MWADI connected on a lay-up with 3:05 remaining in the first half to cut the Koreans lead to 38-33. At that point, Korea began to take control of the contest and rolled to an easy victory. Korea closed out the first half with an 11-3 run to notch a 49-36 halftime advantage. CHUN Eun-Sook led Korea with 29 points and 14 assists. MWADI (ZAI) led all scorers with 30 points.
Final Score: KOR 95, ZAI 71
UKR vs. CUB
Ukraine Pulls Out Victory in Must-Win Situation
In a game where both teams needed a win to continue hopes of reaching the medal round, the Ukrainian squad defeated Cuba, 87-75. Ukraine is now 2-2 in Group B and looks like a sure bet for the number four spot out of the group that will advance; Cuba dropped to 1-3 in the 1996 Olympic Games and had its medal hopes end with the loss.
In a game that was close throughout, a decisive run by Ukraine in the second half proved to be the determining factor. Ahead by five points at 69-64 with 5:16 remaining, Ukraine went on a 15-7 run to open its lead to 84-71 with just 1:08 on the clock. Yelena OBEREMKO led Ukraine with 22 points, while Marina TKACHENKO (UKR) and Lyudmila NAZARENKO (UKR) tallied 19 points each. Yamilet MARTINEZ of Cuba led her squad with 20 points. Grisel HERRERA and Milayda ENRIQUEZ added 17 points each for Cuba.
Final Score: UKR 87, CUB 75
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.
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| Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Games involved a crew of 2,100 who worked with more than 3,500 performers as well as thousands of athletes who celebrated on the field of Olympic Stadium. |