Taipei, Taiwan - June 5-18, 1984

The U.S. sent its 1984 Women's Olympic Team to Taipei, Taiwan, for some pre-Olympic action and came away with an easy gold medal, sweeping through its competition by an average margin of 48.8 ppg.

1984 USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Team 1984 USA RESULTS (8-0) USA   82 Australia 20 USA   97 France 28 USA   67 Canada 30 USA   97 Great Britain 35 USA   85 Brazil 57 USA   60 Italy 37 USA 105 Rep. of China 48 USA   98 F.R. of Germany 46 1984 R. WILLIAM JONES CUP FINAL STANDINGS 1. USA (8-0) 7. Great Britain (2-6) 2. Brazil (7-1) 8. France (1-7) 3. Italy (6-2) 9. R.O.C.-Kuang Hua (0-2)* 4. F.R. of Germany (5-3) 10. Australia (0-2)* 5. Rep. of China (4-4) 11. Philippines (0-2)* 6. Canada (3-5) 12. Hong Kong (0-2)* *Records reflect Preliminary round totals only

Dominating in every aspect of the game, the USA's offense averaged 86.4 ppg., while its defense limited opponents to just 37.6 ppg. Active on the glass, the USA grabbed an average of 32.9 rpg., compared to their opponents' 11.9 rpg. The United States shot a respectable 56.9 percent from the field (293-515 FGs) and 74.5 percent from the charity stripe (105-141 FTs), while holding the opposition to a paltry 31.0 percent shooting from the field (106-342 FGs).

The U.S. squad began their domination early. Opening against a young Australian team, the USA scored 19 points before the Aussies could get onto the scoreboard with two of their own with 9:30 to play. Head coach Pat Summitt then pulled her starting five and the U.S. closed out the half leading 40-14. The second half was more of the same as the U.S., behind 27 points from Cheryl Miller, rolled to the 82-20 victory.

Easily strolling through its next three games, the USA trounced France 97-28, Canada 67-30 and Great Britain 97-35.

Through four games, the Americans looked unstoppable. However, if any team was going to shake up the USA's run for the gold, it looked to be Brazil. Led by standout Hortencia Marcari, Brazil had also turned heads, downing Hong Kong 119-44, Italy 74-70 and France 104-44. The local press had even billed the USA versus Brazil match-up as the 'Battle of the Century.'

Once the game was underway however, it became clear that no team, not even Brazil, would be able to match the strength of the U.S. Leading 45-24 at halftime, the USA cruised on to the eventual 85-57 victory. 6'3' Janice Lawrence led a balanced U.S. scoring attack against the Brazilians with 16 points, Miller added 14 and 6'8' center Anne Donovan and 5'11' guard Lynette Woodard each pitched in 11 points. As a team, the U.S. outrebounded Brazil 33-13 and forced 14 turnovers. Hortencia scored all but 12 of Brazil's points, finishing with a game-high 45.

No other threat loomed on the horizon for the U.S. and the eventual 1984 Olympic gold medalists sailed through their final three games, recording convincing victories over Italy 60-37, Republic of China 105-48 and Germany 98-46 to finish with an unblemished 8-0 record and the 1984 Jones Cup gold medal.

Miller, Woodard and Curry were named to the All-Tournament Team after leading the USA averaging 15.1 ppg., 11.6 ppg. and 9.0 ppg., respectively.

1984 USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Cumulative Statistics