U.S. bounces back from shock loss

Press, 16 July 1986, Page 64

U.S. bounces back from shock loss

NZPA-Reuter

Oviedo, Spain The United States rebounded from Sunday’s shock basketball loss against Argentina to defeat Canada, 77-66, yesterday in a low-scoring game marred by 53 personal fouls. A Canadian forward, Dan Meagher, was the top scorer totalling 19 points, but his side never came closer than four points behind the Americans, led by their pivot, Charly Smith, with 18 points. The U.S. coach, Lute Olsen, said his team would have to improve its free,-throw percentage and play more physically. “The key to our win today was the play of Bogues, Kerr and Gilliam off the bench,” he said.

The top seed, Yugosla-

via, won its seventh consecutive game, crushing Italy, 102-76, to remain undefeated and secure a place in the final four. The Italians held a brief lead, but were quickly overwhelmed by the Yugoslavs led by their sharp-shooting forward, Drazen Balipagic. In Barcelona, the defending champion, the Soviet Union, scraped a five-point victory over the host, Spain, to remain undefeated and advance to the final four with Yugoslavia. Brazil defeated Israel, 90-75, in Barcelona. Its star forward, Oscar Schmidt, scored 30 points to lead the Brazilians to an easy victory.