NINETEENTH WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES -- 1997

The 1997 USA Men's World University Games Team put on quite a display of strength as it toppled opponents by an average margin of victory of 44.0 points per contest and outrebounded opponents by a 21.4 rpg. margin, en route to a perfect 6-0 record and the gold medal in Sicily, Italy. The championship victory extended the USA's winning streak to 32 at the World University Games and marked the American's fifth consecutive gold medal at the Games.

1997 USA Men's World University Games Team 1997 USA RESULTS (6-0) USA 110 South Africa 32 USA   88 Great Britain 48 USA 120 Hong Kong 28 USA   94 South Korea 64 USA   67 Italy 51 USA   72 Canada 64 1997 WORLD UNIV. GAMES FINAL STANDINGS 1. USA (6-0) 9. Lithuania (4-2) 2. Canada (5-1) 10. Czech Republic (3-3) 3. Brazil (5-1) 11. Finland (2-4) 4. Italy (4-2) 12. Japan (2-4) 5. S. Korea (4-2) 13. China (2-4) 6. Great Britain (3-3) 14. Russia (1-5) 7. Mexico (3-3) 15. Hong Kong (2-4) 8. Nigeria (2-4) 16. South Africa (0-6)

In a gold medal chase that was a total team effort, the U.S. finished with two players, Earl Boykins and Curtis Staples, scoring in double-figures, as they averaged 15.7 ppg. and 10.0 ppg., respectively. Six other Americans closed out the competition averaging no less than 7.0 ppg. apiece.

Grouped with Great Britain, Hong Kong and South Africa in preliminary play, the U.S. collegians rolled to an early 3-0 record to finish at the top of Group B, averaging 106.0 ppg., while holding its first three opponents to a paltry 36.0 ppg. average.

In its first contest, the U.S. easily disposed of South Africa 110-32 as Ansu Sesay tallied 19 points and Loren Woods recorded 18 points and a USA World University Games record 17 rebounds. Facing Great Britain next, the Americans earned an 88-48 victory, backed by 16 points from the 5-7 Boykins. Closing out preliminary play with a 120-28 trouncing of Hong Kong, Staples led the U.S. attack with 19 points.

Earning its 100th all-time victory at the World University Games, the USA defeated South Korea 94-64 in the quarterfinals. Trailing 10-4 with 16:09 left in the first period, Scott Padgett scored 10 points in a 17-3 run that put the USA in command, 21-13. The U.S. never relinquished its lead as it cruised to the 94-64 victory. Boykins led five U.S. players in double figures with 18 points.

Backed by Boykins' 17 points and six assists, the USA drove past host Italy 67-51 in semifinal action. With the win, the U.S. advanced to its seventh straight World University Games gold medal contest.

In a game that saw 11 lead changes and five tied scores, the U.S. squad, behind a game high 23 points from Boykins, edged Canada 72-64 for the gold medal.

The U.S. and Canada swapped leads through most of the first half, and with 3:41 left, Canada had slipped out to a 29-22 advantage. Boykins took over the game and scored nine straight points, with the help of two assists and a steal from Padgett, to put the U.S. in front 31-29 and the U.S. closed out the half with a two-point, 35-33, lead.

Following six lead changes and one tie to open the second half, Bryce Drew sank a three-pointer to knot the score at 48 apiece with 13:43 to go. Taking off on a 12-3 run, the USA jumped out in front 60-51 at 8:07. The Americans went on to earn the 72-64 decision and the gold medal. Brazil defeated Italy 77-69 in the bronze medal contest.