Sheffield, England • July 15-24, 1991

The USA, which had dominated international basketball since 1984, was out to make a statement in 1991 in the one competition is had not fared well in of late -- the World University Games.

Opening against Ireland, head coach Tara VanDerveer's U.S. squad was off and running from the start and the end result was a lopsided 78-point victory as the U.S. crushed Ireland 116-38. Carolyn Jones paced the USA's scoring, accounting for 24 points. Facing Japan the following day, the U.S. simply overran its opponents, recording a 125-38 win as Ruthie Bolton led the U.S. with 19 points. With Lisa Leslie and Katy Steding each scoring 17 points, the U.S. completed its pool competition with an unblemished 3-0 record as the Americans outgunned Hungary 104-89. Showing a balanced scoring attack, all 12 USA players scored in each of the team's first three games.

Advancing to the second round, the U.S. opened against the Soviet Union. It was defense that paved the way to the USA's 106-80 win over the USSR, and Leslie paced the USA's offense, scoring 21 points while adding eight rebounds and five steals.

Facing 4-0 Canada next, the U.S. advanced to the quarterfinal round after persevering for an 87-69 victory. Judy Mosley, a 6'1' forward from the University of Hawaii, led the Americans with 17 points and seven rebounds. Playing their sixth game in as many days, the 5-0 Americans faced Romania for the right to advance to the semifinals. Behind a 40-point (15-22 FGs, 4-9 3-pt FGs), 11 rebound performance by Bolton, the U.S. rolled to a convincing 135-53 win. The U.S. again featured a balanced scoring attack that saw all 12 USA women score and seven reach double digits.

A talented Chinese team remained as the only roadblock between the U.S. and the gold medal game. Plagued by frigid 36.1 percent shooting from the field, the U.S. turned to its defense. Limiting China to 34.8 percent shooting from the floor, and outrebounding the Chinese 51-32, the Americans recorded a hard fought 79-76 win. Jones led the United States' scoring attack with 23 points, while Mosley added 20 points and 12 rebounds and Dale Hodges was credited with 16 points and 10 boards.

Owning an impressive 7-0 record, the U.S. squared off against 7-0 Spain for the 1991 gold medal. By half the USA was in command 42-29, and the U.S. continued its offensive dominance in the second half en route to an 88-62 win and the gold medal. Bolton paced the U.S. attack to the win, scoring 22 points, while Mosley grabbed a game best 17 rebounds. The U.S. averaged 105.0 points a game and limited their opponents to just 63.1 ppg., for a substantial victory margin of 41.9 ppg.

1991 USA Women's World University Games Cumulative Statistics