Montreal, Canada • July 18- 27, 1976

After the International Olympic Committee decided to raise the number of participating basketball teams in the Olympics from 16 to 18, the International Basketball Federation decided that the Olympics would now host a six-team women's basketball competition. Although a World Championship in women's basketball had been held every four years since 1953, women's basketball reached a milestone in 1976 with its first Olympic competition.

Having finished eighth at the 1975 World Championship, before the U.S. women could set their sights on an Olympic medal, they first had to qualify for the 1976 Olympics. The USSR, Japan and Czechoslovakia had qualified for the '76 Games by virtue of their top three finishes at the 1975 World Championship, and Canada, as the host country, had also qualified, leaving two open spots. An Olympic Qualifying Tournament featuring nine teams was held in Hamilton, Canada, and the U.S. compiled a spotless 5-0 mark to earn the first qualifying spot, while Bulgaria finished second to take the other.

Despite a competitive Olympic field, the USSR clearly proved to be the best. Entering the 1976 Games with a winning streak that had not seen the Soviet women lose a major international game since 1958, the USSR continued its domination over its international foes at the 1976 Olympics. Earning the first Olympic women's basketball gold medal with a perfect 5-0 record, Jullana Semenova, a 7'2' center, led the Soviets averaging 19.4 points and 12.4 rebounds a game while spending more than half her time on the bench.

The USA hopes for gold were jeopardized right from the start when Japan recorded an 84-71 victory. Four of Japan's starting five played the entire 40 minutes, and Japan's Keiko Namai scored a game high 35 points, while Lusia Harris recorded 17 points and seven rebounds for the U.S. in the setback.

Nancy Dunkle, Patricia Roberts, and Ann Meyers scored 17, 16 and 15 points each as the U.S. rebounded for a convincing 95-79 win over Bulgaria. Getting the better of host Canada two days later, 89-75, the USA's offense was spearheaded by Dunkle's 15 points and by Juliene Simpson's 14 points.

The long awaited match-up between the USA and the Soviet Union ended in a lopsided loss for the Americans, as the Soviets rolled to a 112-77 win. The 7'2' Semenova dominated the U.S. for 32 points and 19 rebounds in just 23 minutes of action, while the USA was paced by Harris' 18 points and 10 rebounds.

Meeting Czechoslovakia and in need of a win in order to secure the silver medal, the U.S. broke open the tight contest in the second half to claim an 83-67 win. Tied 37-37 at halftime, the U.S. outscored Czechoslovakia 46-30 in the second half to earn the win. Harris led the U.S. with 17 points, while Dunkle added 14, and Roberts, Susan Rojcewicz, and Simpson each chipped in 10 points.

The USA's silver medal finish served a notice to the rest of the world that the United States would be a contender for the gold in 1980. U.S. head coach Billie Moore said it best, 'I think we've closed the gap.

1976 USA WOMEN’S OLYMPIC TEAM ROSTER

1976 USA WOMEN’S OLYMPIC TEAM CUMULATIVE STATISTICS