Moscow, Soviet Union - July 5-10, 1986

Although the women's World Championship was slated for later in the summer, the inaugural Goodwill Games competition was significant in international basketball for two reasons -- It was the first major event in 1986, and it offered the first match-up between the USA and the USSR since the two teams had met in the 1983 World Championship gold medal game.

1986 USA Women's Goodwill Games Team 1986 USA RESULTS (5-0) USA 72 Yugoslavia 53 USA 91 Brazil 70 USA 78 Czechoslovakia 70 USA 67 Bulgaria 58 USA 83 USSR 60 1986 GOODWILL GAMES FINAL STANDINGS 1. United States (5-0) 2. Soviet Union (4-1) 3. Brazil (3-2) 4. Bulgaria (2-3) 5. Yugoslavia (1-4) 6. Czechoslovakia (0-5)

Assembling a team of standout collegians, head coach Kay Yow, who two years later would direct the U.S. to the gold in the 1988 Olympic Games, led her squad to Moscow with high hopes of earning the gold.

Opening against Yugoslavia, the U.S. served notice to the rest of the field that it was a serious threat to upend the status quo of women's basketball. Behind 19 points and nine rebounds from Cheryl Miller, the U.S. crushed Yugoslavia 72-53.

Clashing against Brazil the following day, the U.S. continued on its mission as the Americans handed Brazil a convincing 91-70 setback. Miller again led the USA squad, finishing with 26 points and 11 rebounds, while international veteran Anne Donovan responded with 20 points and eight rebounds and Teresa Edwards added 18 points.

Facing Czechoslovakia next, the USA held on to earn a 78-70 victory and remain undefeated. Miller paced the American attack with 20 points, while Donovan and Katrina McClain accounted for 15 and 12 points each.

Facing a solid team from Bulgaria in the semifinals, the USA once again persevered for a 67-58 victory as Edwards led the U.S. with 21 points and Miller tossed in 20 points.

Standing 4-0, the U.S. women faced the also undefeated Soviet Union women in a historic contest. The Soviet women, who had dominated international basketball for nearly three decades, had compiled an incredible 152-2 record in major international competitions (Olympics, World Championships and European Championships). Their two losses were to Bulgaria in the 1958 European Championship and to the U.S. in the 1957 World Championship, and they had never lost a game in the Soviet Union! Making matters worse, the Soviet's also had the decades' most dominant player, 7-foot-2 Ivilana Semenova.

A capacity crowd of 7,000 filled Druzhba Sports Center for the game and with 9:25 left in the opening half the Soviets led 21-19. But the U.S. defense came to life and the Americans went on a 20-4 scoring rampage to take command 39-25 at halftime. The Soviets never recovered as the USA sailed to the remarkable 83-60 victory. Miller led the balanced USA attack with 18 points, McClain added 17 and Edwards had 13.

'This is even better than the Olympics in '84,' said Miller. 'This is beating the Russians in Russia, I've waited along time for this.'