Taipei, Taoyuan, Tainan, Pingtung, Yun-Lin and Lin-Kou, Taiwan - August 14-26, 1996

Overpowering its opposition by an average margin of 33.0 points a game, the USA rolled in impressive fashion to a perfect 9-0 record and the gold medal at the 1996 R. William Jones Cup Tournament.

1996 USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Team 1996 USA RESULTS (9-0) USA   88 Japan 48 USA   89 ROC-Cathay Life 50 USA   98 North Korea 59 USA   78 Australia 58 USA   81 ROC-Ya Tung 58 USA   96 ROC-Kuang Hua 62 USA 104 Thailand 40 USA   72 Slovakia 62 USA   70 South Korea 42 1996 R. WILLIAM JONES CUP FINAL STANDINGS 1. USA (9-0) 6. South Korea (4-5) 2. Slovakia (8-1) 7. Japan (3-6) 3. Australia (7-2) 8. Rep. of China - Cathay Life (2-7) 4. Rep. of China - Ya Tung (6-3) 9. Thailand (1-8) 5. North Korea (5-4) 10. Rep. of China - Kuang Hua (0-9)

The U.S. opened competition by trouncing Japan 88-48, Republic of China - Cathay Life 89-50 and North Korea 98-59.

Whipping through their next four opponents, including Australia 78-58, Republic of China - Ya Tung 81-58, Republic of China - Kuang Hua 96-62 and finally Thailand 104-40, the USA improved its record to a perfect 7-0.

Meeting also unbeaten Slovakia in a game that would determine the gold medal, the U.S., led by a combined 30 points from USA Basketball veteran Michelle Marciniak and 6'3' center Tina Thompson, posted a come-from- behind 72-62 victory over Slovakia.

The USA fell behind in the game's early goings and with 8:30 remaining until halftime, trailing 22-15, the U.S. outscored Slovakia 16-11 to close within two points at the midway buzzer, 33-31.

Tied 45-45 with 12:30 to go, the U.S. hit seven of eight free throws to grab the lead for good, 52-47 with 9:30 left, and Slovakia never again seriously challenged as the U.S. earned the 72-62 victory and Jones Cup gold medal.

With a first place finish already assured, the Americans, behind 15 points from 6'1' forward Sheri Sam, thumped South Korea 70-42 to collect top honors and finish with a perfect 9-0 slate.

While the United States finished on top of the standings to earn the gold medal, Slovakia collected the silver medal with a 8-1 record, and Australia finished with a 7-2 mark to claim the bronze medal.

Relying on a balanced scoring attack throughout the tournament, the USA offense was led by Sam who was the only U.S. player to finish with a double-figure scoring average at 13.2 ppg. Three U.S. players also finished averaging over 9.0 ppg., Thompson, former North Carolina standout Charlotte Smith, and Williams scored 9.8 ppg., 9.7 ppg. and 9.1 ppg., respectively. Williams earned top rebounding honors pulling down 7.0 rpg.

Four USA players earned All-Tournament accolades. Charlotte Smith was chosen the Jones Cup MVP, while Sam earned All-Tournament first team honors, and Marciniak, who averaged 7.4 ppg. and 2.7 apg., and 6'5' center Sylvia Crawley, who poured in 8.4 ppg., 6.1 rpg. and recorded a team-best 10 blocked shots, were both selected to the All-Tournament second team.

1996 USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Statistics