Randy Foye (Villanova / Newark, N.J.) scored 18 points as the 2005 USA Men’s World University Games Team advanced to the semifinals following an 88-68 victory over Australia.
With the win, the USA improved to 6-0 at the Games and will now play Russia in the semifinal round on Friday, Aug. 19 at 12:45 p.m. at the Halkapinar Sports Hall. Russia scored a come-from-behind, 83-79 win over Turkey in one of the other quarterfinal games.
Gerry McNamara (Syracuse / Scranton, Pa.) added 15 points for the USA, while Vincent Grier (Minnesota / Charlotte, N.C.) contributed 10. Shelden Williams (Duke / Forest Park, Okla.) had nine points and 12 rebounds for the Americans.
The USA, which never trailed in the game, broke the game open early with a 19-0 first quarter run fueled by eight points from Craig Smith (Boston College / Los Angeles, Calif.). They led 31-9 after a layup by Mike Gansey (West Virginia / Olmsted Falls, Ohio) with 1:41 to play in the first quarter.
“I thought we started the game really strong and were very focused, which is a credit to our guys playing at 10:30 in the morning,” said USA and Villanova University (Pa.) head coach Jay Wright. “I thought Australia made a great adjustment in the second half by going to a smaller lineup which gave us trouble.”
McNamara had 13 first half points, including three 3-point field goals as the USA led 55-33 at halftime. The Americans shot 21-of-37 (56 percent) from the floor in the first 20 minutes, turning 11 Aussie turnovers into many easy baskets.
“That’s something our team can do because of our depth,” said Wright of a full court press which caused Australia problems. “I have confidence in our guys, one through twelve, and we have good team quickness. That helps us create turnovers.”
Australia outscored the U.S. in the third quarter by a 17-9 count, as guard Ben Hunt poured in 15 of the points. Hunt, who played collegiately at Stephen F. Austin State University (Texas) in the U.S., connected on three 3-point field goals in the quarter and ended the game with a game-high 28 points.
Trailing 64-50 entering the final quarter, Australia was unable to mount a rally and would get no closer than 14 points as Wright was able to use mostly reserves over the final 10 minutes of the game.
“We came out ready to play, it was kind of early so we knew that we had to get ourselves going,” said McNamara, who also dished out five assists. “Fortunately we made some shots early, put the pressure on them and got out to an early lead.”
The USA forced a total of 33 Australia turnovers and out-rebounded the Aussies 36-25. The Americans ended up shooting 50 percent from the field.
“We tried to make it a no contest early and the guys were really fired up,” said Smith, who had eight points for the USA. “I don’t think they expected it (full court press) that early and we just tried to pressure them and make them make mistakes.”
The meeting with Russia in the semifinals will be the second all-time meeting between the two countries at the Games. The USA defeated Russia 115-48 at the 1995 Games in Fukuoka, Japan.
“We have seen (Russia), they are very talented and a very tough, disciplined team,” Wright said of his semifinal opponent. “It should be a great battle.”
For the USA players, they can see the medal rounds fast approaching.
“This is the time to buckle down and focus, this is why we came,” McNamara said. “We want to be competitive and play as hard as we can, so we are going to try again tomorrow.”
