Taipei, Taiwan - June 22-28, 1988

The United States quest for a fourth consecutive Jones Cup title was abruptly halted after the Americans were twice bettered by a talented South Korea team at the 1988 Jones Cup in Taipei, Taiwan.

1988 USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Team 1988 USA RESULTS (3-2) USA 79 Japan 45 USA 78 Rep. of China 65 USA 96 Malaysia 34 South Korea 79 USA 73 South Korea 84 USA 75 1988 R. WILLIAM JONES CUP FINAL STANDINGS 1. South Korea (4-0) 4. Japan (1-3) 2. USA (3-2) 5. Malaysia (0-3) 3. Republic of China (2-2)

The U.S. opened competition against Japan and jumped to a 10-point halftime lead at 40-30. The USA continued to pull away in the second half for the easy 79-45 victory and was aided by Nikita Lowry's team highs of 21 points and eight rebounds.

After a two-day rest, the U.S. faced a tough Republic of China team that kept pace with the Americans for most of the first half. Swapping leads for the first 14 minutes of the game, the U.S. jumped ahead on a basket by Angelique Lee, which put the USA on top for good at 27-26 with six minutes remaining in the period. By halftime, the USA had extended its lead to four, 38-34. Four minutes into the second half, the U.S. increased its lead to 11 at 51-40 and cruised to the eventual 78-65 victory behind Edwards' 22 points.

In a game that saw every USA player score, including five in double-digits, the U.S. annihilated Malaysia 96-34. Shelia Frost led the USA with 16 points, Jennifer Azzi and Dale Hodges each had 14, Portia Hill added 13 and Edna Campbell chipped in 10 points.

In their final preliminary round contest, the 3-0 USA team was pitted against an undefeated South Korean squad . Swapping leads throughout most of the first half, Korea was on top 46-41 at the midway buzzer. The U.S. slowly chipped away at the deficit and with seven minutes remaining, pulled ahead 63-61. South Korea regained the lead at 75-69 with less than two minutes to go, and the U.S. closed the gap to two at 75-73, but South Korea closed out the contest with a 4-0 run to earn the 79-73 win. Cline led the U.S. wtih 22 points, Edwards scored 15 and Frost added 11 points.

Meeting for the second time in as many days, this time the outcome of the USA - South Korea game would determine the winner of the gold medal.

Both teams swapped leads throughout the entire first half and at the end of the period, South Korea held a two-point advantage, 45-43. In the first 10 minutes of the second half, South Korea outscored the USA 20-10 to take control 65-53. The U.S. was never able to recover and fell 84-79. Cline and Edwards led the U.S. silver medalists with 18 points each.

The Republic of China edged past Japan 54-53 for the 1988 Jones Cup bronze medal.

Edwards led the U.S. averaging 15.4 ppg., and was selected to the All-Tournament Team along with Azzi, Frost and University of Iowa's Jolette Law.

1988 USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Statistics