Aug. 11, 2005
IZMIR, Turkey – Notre Dame senior point guard Megan Duffy (Dayton, Ohio/Chaminade-Julienne HS) and the USA World University Games Team improved to 2-0 with a 92-22 Pool B preliminary round victory over South Africa on Thursday in Izmir, Turkey. Duffy, who led all American players with 14 points in Wednesday’s win vs. the Czech Republic, did not score against South Africa, taking only one shot, although she did have two assists without a turnover, part of Team USA’s 27 assists, which set a new U.S. World University Games record.
LSU’s Seimone Augustus led all scorers with 18 points, coming off the bench in her first game of the tournament. Augustus and teammate Sylvia Fowles joined the U.S. squad Thursday after attending the funeral of former LSU coach Sue Gunter earlier this week in Baton Rouge, La. Stanford center Brooke Smith collected a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, while the Ohio State tandem of Jessica Davenport and Brandie Hoskins had 13 points and 10 points, respectively.
As a team, the U.S. shot 56.5 percent (39-69) from the field, forced 28 South African turnovers (17 coming on steals) and dominated the rebounding column, 49-20. Starting for the second consecutive game, Duffy got Team USA rolling with an assist to Davenport 47 seconds into the contest. After South Africa got within 4-2 at the 8:15 mark of the first quarter, the Americans went on an 8-0 run and eventually took a 19-9 lead after one period.
Team USA broke the game wide open in the second quarter, outscoring South Africa, 22-0 in the frame. The U.S. tacked on the first three baskets of the second half and wound up scoring 30 unanswered points before South Africa scored four minutes into the third quarter.
In the other Pool B contest on Thursday, Czech Republic edged China, 64-63. The remaining games on Thursday saw five teams improve to 2-0 at the World University Games — Australia (80-50 vs. Thailand), Russia (76-62 vs. Ireland), Serbia & Montenegro (93-34 vs. Lebanon), Taiwan (70-55 vs. Great Britain) and host Turkey (53-45 vs. Slovenia). In addition, Japan won its opener against Lithuania, 81-74.
Team USA (2-0) returns to the hardwood Friday at 5:15 p.m. local time (9:15 a.m. EST/CDT in South Bend) when it tangles with China (0-2) in its third preliminary round game.
— ND —
2005 USA World University Games Team Schedule (Izmir, Turkey)
Aug. 10 Czech Republic W, 88-64 (Pool B play)
Aug. 11 South Africa W, 92-22 (Pool B play)
Aug. 12 China 5:15 p.m. (Pool B play)
Aug. 15 Poland 12:45 p.m. (Pool B play)
Aug. 16 Quarterfinals
Aug. 17 Semifinals
Aug. 19 Finals
All times local and subject to change (NOTE: Turkey is eight hours ahead of South Bend’s current EST/CDT time zone)