Bangkok, Thailand - July 23 - August 2, 2009

After falling in its opening contest, the United States Women's U19 World Championship Team, led by Northern Illinois University head coach Carol Owens, bounced back to win its final eight games in convincing fashion to stake its claim on the gold medal in Bangkok, Thailand. The gold medal effort was the third straight U19 title and fourth over the last five U19 Worlds for the American women.

The USA's Nnemkadi Ogwumike, who averaged team-highs of 13.6 ppg. and 9.9 rpg., was named to the five-member all-tournament team as the well-rounded team effort produced four players who averaged double-digit scoring for the tournament.

Despite 16 points from Ogwumike, who led five players who scored in double digits, the U.S. stumbled in its opener against Spain. The USA came back from a 17-point first half deficit, but ran out of steam in the end, falling 90-86.

The team took the opening loss as a wake-up call and responded by collecting double-digit victories in each of their final eight games.

Ogwumike posted a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds as the USA never trailed in an 88-53 win over China and the Americans easily dispatched Mali 100-38 with Kelly Faris leading the balanced U.S. attack with 13 points.

Opening second round action with a 64-50 win over Canada, Kelsey Bone and Samantha Prahalis led the U.S. charge with 14 points apiece.

The USA continued on its roll, handing Russia its first loss as Ogwumike had 12 points and 13 rebounds in a 75-56 rout.

Every member of the U.S. team put points on the board as the Americans earned a 109-68 victory over Japan to advance to the medal round. Taber Spani shot 3-of-6 from 3-point and checked in as the USA's top scorer with 15 points.

After trailing by eight points late in the second half, the U.S. fought back to earn an 88-75 quarterfinal victory over France. USA co-captains Skylar Diggins and Ogwumike paved the way with 16 points each.

Advancing to the semifinals, the U.S. received 16 points from Bone on 8-of-11 shooting from the field as it dropped Canada 82-51 to set up a gold medal rematch against Spain.

Facing an undefeated Spanish squad, the U.S. wasted no time in proving the opening loss was a fluke. Leading 33-16 at the end of the first period and 49-30 by halftime, the U.S. closed out the U19 Worlds with the 87-71 victory to earn the gold medal. Ogwumike notched her fourth double-double of the tournament with 22 points and a USA U19 World Championship record 20 boards, while Prahalis scored 21 points and Bone tossed in 18.

Argentina claimed its first medal in U19 World Championship history with a 58-51 victory over Canada in the bronze medal game.

2009 USA WOMEN'S U19 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM ROSTER

2009 USA WOMEN'S U19 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM CUMULATIVE STATISTICS