Games of the XXIIIrd Olympiad -- 1984

Los Angeles, California, USA - July 29 - August 10, 1984

The 1984 Olympic women's basketball competition began with some disappointment, as the eagerly awaited Olympic showdown between the United States and Soviet Union women was once again prevented by politics, this time it was the Soviet team that did not compete. However, by the time the 1984 competition ended, the U.S. women had plenty to celebrate as the Americans cruised to their first Olympic gold medal with a perfect 6-0 slate, and in the process had outscored their opponents by an average of 32.7 points-per-game.

1984 U.S. Olympic Team (USA Basketball Photos) 1984 USA RESULTS (6-0) USA 83 Yugoslavia 55 USA 81 Australia 47 USA 84 South Korea 47 USA 91 China 55 USA 92 Canada 61 USA 85 South Korea 55 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES FINAL STANDINGS 1. USA (6-0) 2. South Korea (4-2) 3. Canada (3-3) 4. China (2-4) 5. Australia (1-4)

Opening against Yugoslavia, the American team led comfortably at half, 43-29, and never looked back en route to an 83-55 win as USC standout Cheryl Miller opened the Games with a 23 point performance. Shooting 70.8 percent (17-24) from the field and limiting Australia to 15.4 percent shooting (4-26) in the first half, the U.S. was in command 51-28 at halftime. The U.S. contingent continued its surge in the second half and Australia was overrun by the USA squad 81-47. The 6'3' Miller again led the U.S. offensive attack with 20 points. All 12 U.S. players scored in an 84-47 victory over South Korea, and behind Lynette Woodard's 15 points and 14 more from Janice Lawrence, China fell to the American squad 91-55. Advancing to the semifinals, the Americans handed their neighbors to the North, Canada, a 92-61 setback as 11 of the 12 USA team members scored, led by 6'8' Anne Donovan's 14-point and six-rebound effort.

The gold medal game was no different for the American women than their first five games. Facing South Korea for the second time, South Korea played tough for the first six minutes, but with the score even at 12 the United States went on a 16-2 run to mount a 28-14 lead with 8:10 remaining in the first half. By half, the U.S. was ahead by 15, 42-27. South Korea closed the gap early in the second half to 10 before the United States reeled off 14 unanswered points to ice the Koreans and cruise to an impressive 85-55 victory. Indicative of the team effort that earned the gold medal, all 12 U.S. players scored in the gold medal game. Miller led the USA charge with 16 points and added 11 rebounds, while Lawrence added 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Cindy Noble accounted for 10 points. Miller, averaging 16.5 points-per-game, led the team in scoring, rebounding, steals and assists. On the sidelines, U.S. head coach Pat Head Summitt became the first U.S. Olympian to win a basketball medal as a player (silver in 1976) and then returned to win an Olympic gold medal as a head coach.

1984 USA Women's Olympic Games Roster

1984 USA Women's Olympic Games Cumulative Statistics