Taipei, Taiwan - May 26-June 7, 1980

The United States traveled to Taiwan with hopes of defending its 1979 Jones Cup gold medal. However, due to a three-way tie for the top three positions, the gold medal winner was determined by the point differential between the tied teams and the U.S. was forced to settle for the bronze.

1980 USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Team 1980 USA RESULTS (7-2) USA   95 Thailand 38 USA 116 Singapore 24 USA   84 Canada 25 ROC-Blue   86 USA 81 USA   97 Canada 36 USA   54 New Zealand 40 USA   84 ROC-White 82 USA   66 ROC-Blue 62 South Korea   90 USA 79 1980 R. WILLIAM JONES CUP FINAL STANDINGS 1. South Korea (7-2)* 6. Canada (2-7) 2. R.O.C. White (8-1)* 7. Sweden (4-3) 3. USA (7-2)* 8. Philippines (2-5) 4. R.O.C. Blue (6-3) 9. Thailand (2-5) 5. New Zealand (3-6) 10. Singapore (0-7) *Standings determined by point differential between tied teams

The U.S. easily ran through its first three opponents, thrashing Thailand 95-38, Singapore 116-24 and Canada 84-25 before meeting their first real opposition.

In the final day of preliminary play, the United States faced Republic of China - Blue, which had also cruised through its first three games defeating Thailand, Singapore and Canada by an average margin of 72.3 ppg.

Losing a close battle to Republic of China - Blue 86-81, the U.S., by virtue of its 3-1 preliminary record, advanced to the medal round along with Canada, New Zealand, R.O.C. White, R.O.C. Blue and South Korea.

The USA encountered Canada for the second time in three games. Once again Canada proved to be no match as the United States rolled to the 97-36 victory, and then the following day the U.S. dashed past New Zealand 54-40.

The U.S. edged out then-undefeated Republic of China - White, one of the favorites to win the gold medal, 84-82, to improve its medal round record to 3-0.

Continuing its winning ways, the U.S. evened the score with Republic of China - Blue after recording a 66-62 victory for its fourth straight win.

Entering into their final game, the USA owned a 4-0 record, while South Korea had a 3-1 record and Republic of China - White, 105-92 victors over Republic of China - Blue in their final game, stood 4-1 in the medal round.

Fate was in the Americans' own hands. If the U.S. won the game, they would take the gold. However, a loss would place them in a three-way tie with Republic of China - White and South Korea and the tie-breaker would be determined by the point differential between tied teams.

As a result of the score between Republic of China - White and South Korea, with Republic of China - White taking the game 69-65, South Korea had to defeat the U.S. by no less than six points to earn the gold.

In the final game South Korea handed the U.S. its second defeat of the tournament 90-79 to earn the gold medal. Republic of China - White settled for silver and the United States took home the bronze medal. Parkersburg Catholic High School (WV) standout Mary Ostrowski and University of Kentucky forward Valerie Still were selected to the All-Tournament Team.

1980 USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Cumulative Statistics