NINTH WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES -- 1977
Sofia, Bulgaria • August 17-31, 1977
Playing in its second World University Games, the USA, under the direction of Lucille Kyvallos of Queens College (N.Y.), traveled to Sofia, Bulgaria with the hopes of dethroning the Soviet Union and capturing the USA women's first World University Games gold medal.
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1977 USA RESULTS (6-2)
1977 WORLD UNIV. GAMES FINAL STANDINGS
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The Americans did not win the gold, however, they did continue to improve and in the process finished 6-2 and in possession of the silver medal.
The Americans won their first four games rather easily. Opening the preliminary round against the Federal Republic of Germany, the USA women handed West Germany a 96-60 defeat as 5'10' Carol Blazejowski led the way with 23 points and Ann Meyers tossed in 12. The following day Gail Marquis scored 17 points and added 11 rebounds to lead the Americans to a 103-51 pounding of Mexico, as five U.S. players scored in double digits and all 12 players scored.
The U.S. sprinted over China, 89-55 as Blazejowski made 12 of 20 field goals and finished with a game best 29 points and Charlotte Lewis added 13 points and a team best nine rebounds. The U.S. closed out its pool play undefeated, recording a 76-66 victory over Hungary. Blazejowski spirited the U.S. offensive attack with 31 points (11-22 FGs, 9-13 FTs) and 15 rebounds, while Marquis added 16 points.
Opening the medal qualification round with a 76-73 win over Romania, the U.S. squared off against the Soviet Union next and, despite 25 points from Ann Meyers and 15 from Blazejowski, fell 104-78. The U.S. trailed 41-34 at halftime, but was outscored 63-44 in the second stanza. The U.S. shot just 37.3 percent (28-75) from the floor and was outrebounded 60-35 by the Soviets.
Regrouping to defeat host Bulgaria in a closely contested affair, 87-84, the U.S. again challenged the Soviet Union, but this time the gold medal was on the line. Once again, the Soviet Union women were too strong for the Americans. Taking control early and leading comfortably 66-42 at half, the Soviets went on to record a 107-90 win. Blazejowski paced the U.S. with 28 points.
Blazejowski finished the competition as the overall leading scorer with 164 points and a 20.5 ppg. average.
Host Bulgaria finished the tournament on a high note by defeating Cuba 60-49 to capture the bronze medal.
1977 USA WOMEN'S WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES ROSTER
| NAME | POS | HGT | WGT | AGE | SCHOOL | HOMETOWN |
| Sybil Blalock | G | 5-5 | 120 | 25 | Tennessee | Sevierville, TN |
| Carol Blazejowski | F | 5-10 | 150 | 20 | Montclair State College | Fairview, NJ |
| Pat Charity | F | 5-11 | 18 | Western Michigan | Kentwood, MI | |
| Rita Easterling | G | 5-5 | 134 | 22 | Mississippi College-Women | Morton, MS |
| Althea Gwyn | C | 6-3 | 180 | 21 | Queens College | Amityville, NY |
| Monica Havelka | F | 6-1 | Long Beach State | Lomita, CA | ||
| Charlotte Lewis | C | 6-2 | 180 | 21 | Illinois State | Peoria, IL |
| Gail Marquis | C/F | 5-11 | 165 | 22 | Queens College | St. Albans, NY |
| Brenda Martin | F | 6-0 | 20 | California State Univ.,Fullerton | San Mateo, CA | |
| Ann Meyers | G | 5-9 | 135 | 22 | UCLA | La Habra, CA |
| Laurie Miller | F | 6-0 | 21 | Kansas State | Smithville, MO | |
| Patricia Roberts | F | 6-1 | 150 | 22 | Tennessee | Monroe, GA |
| HEAD COACH: Lucille Kyvallos, Queens College (NY) | ||||||
| ASSISTANT COACH: Dixie Woodall, Oral Roberts College (OK) | ||||||
| MANAGER: Michelle Blatt, Queens College (NY) | ||||||
1977 USA WOMEN'S WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES CUMULATIVE STATISTICS
| NAME | G |
FGM-FGA
|
PCT |
FTM-FTA
|
PCT
|
REB/AVG
|
PTS/AVG
|
AST
|
| Carol Blazejowski | 5 |
39- 71
|
.549 |
30- 40
|
.750
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28/ 5.6
|
108/ 21.6
|
11
|
| Ann Meyers | 5 |
25- 53
|
.472 |
20- 25
|
.800
|
19/ 3.8
|
70/ 14.0
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7
|
| Gail Marquis | 5 |
23- 42
|
.548 |
14- 23
|
.609
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35/ 7.0
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60/ 12.0
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3
|
| Charlotte Lewis | 5 |
16- 40
|
.400 |
5- 9
|
.556
|
46/ 9.2
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37/ 7.4
|
3
|
| Sybil Blalock | 5 |
16- 28
|
.571 |
1- 3
|
.333
|
6/ 1.2
|
33/ 6.6
|
10
|
| Althea Gwyn | 5 |
8- 20
|
.400 |
10- 21
|
.476
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25/ 5.0
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26/ 5.2
|
0
|
| Rita Easterling | 5 |
12- 24
|
.500 |
1- 4
|
.250
|
7/ 1.4
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25/ 5.0
|
3
|
| Laurie Miller | 5 |
9- 26
|
.346 |
3- 8
|
.275
|
12/ 2.4
|
21/ 4.2
|
1
|
| Patricia Roberts | 5 |
8- 17
|
.471 |
5- 10
|
.500
|
10/ 2.0
|
21/ 4.2
|
2
|
| Brenda Martin | 5 |
8- 19
|
.421 |
3- 4
|
.750
|
11/ 2.2
|
19/ 3.8
|
2
|
| Pat Charity | 5 |
7- 22
|
.318 |
4- 7
|
.571
|
15/ 3.0
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18/ 3.6
|
1
|
| Monica Havelka | 5 |
1- 5
|
.200 |
2- 2
|
1.000
|
4/ 0.8
|
4/ 0.8
|
1
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| USA TOTALS | 8 |
172-367
|
.469 |
98-156
|
.628
|
218/43.6
|
695/ 86.9
|
42
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| OPP. TOTALS | 8 |
133-341
|
.390 |
70-112
|
.625
|
163/32.6
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600/ 75.0
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31
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NOTE: Box scores are missing for the USA's games against Romania, Bulgaria and the second Soviet Union game. Therefore, the above individual cumulative statistical totals are five game totals and do not include statistics from the missing games. The USA and Opponent team cumulative statistics also reflect five game totals for everything but points scored which reflects the eight game totals.
