Taipei, Taiwan - August 4-12, 1995

Winning its first six games only to falter in its final two contests, the 1995 USA R. William Jones Cup Team finished with a 6-2 record to earn the bronze medal in Taipei, Taiwan.

1995 USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Team 1995 USA RESULTS (6-2) USA   66 Australia 61 USA   73 Canada 71 USA   89 Japan 70 USA   60 ROC-Nan Ya 54 USA 114 Kyrgyzstan 50 USA   83 ROC-Cathay Life 79 Russia 100 USA 84 South Korea   80 USA 76 1995 R. WILLIAM JONES CUP FINAL STANDINGS 1. Rep. of China-Cathay Life (7-1) 6. Russia (4-4) 2. South Korea (6-2) 7. Canada (2-6) 3. USA (6-2) 8. Japan (1-7) 4. Australia (5-3) 9. Kyrgyzstan (0-8) 5. Rep. of China-Nan Ya (5-3)

The Americans started off strong, sweeping past their first six opponents in six days. In need of one win in its final two games to secure the gold medal, the U.S. came up short against Russia and South Korea in the last two days.

Favored Republic of China - Cathay Life, whose only loss was at the hands of the U.S. 83-79, took the gold, while South Korea's 80-76 win over the USA on the final day of round-robin competition clinched second place and the silver medal.

A pair of Purdue University players, 5'8' Jennifer Jacoby and 6'4' Stacey Lovelace, powered the USA and earned 1995 R. William Jones Cup All-Tournament honors. Jacoby was awarded first team honors after averaging 7.3 ppg. and 3.0 apg., while Lovelace's 14.9 ppg. and 7.1 rpg. averages helped to earn her a spot on the All-Tournament second team.

The U.S. began its gold medal chase with a hard fought 66-61 victory over Australia as Sheri Sam led the U.S. attack with 15 points. A narrow 73-71 win over Canada followed, as Lovelace was an inside force recording 17 points and nine rebounds.

The U.S. recorded more decisive victories in its next three games, defeating Japan 89-70, Republic of China - Nan Ya 60-54 and Kyrgyzstan 114-50.

The USA continued its quest for gold and earned its sixth straight victory, defeating favorite Republic of China - Cathay Life 83-79 in the final seconds after 6'1' Purdue University standout Jannon Roland nailed a 10-foot jumper with just 11 seconds remaining in the game to break a 79-79 tie and help lift the USA to the victory. Lovelace paced the U.S. offense with 15 points.

Following a day off, the USA's six-game winning streak came to a halt when Russia upended the Americans 100-84 despite a huge effort of 23 points and 14 rebounds from Lovelace.

Even after the loss, heading into its final game, the USA's gold medal hopes were still alive as a win over South Korea would earn the U.S. the gold medal.

The USA led 43-39 at intermission, but South Korea chipped away at the U.S. lead in the second half and finally jumped ahead 62-61 with 8:06 left for its first lead since the first period. The U.S. never regained the upper hand as South Korea went on to record the 80-76 win. In addition to 26 points and eight rebounds from Lovelace, Sam scored 14 points, Roland added 12 and Gorsica pitched in 10 for the U.S.

1995 USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Statistics