Mexico City, Mexico • September 2-13, 1979

In 1979, USA head coach Fran Garmon of Delta State (MS) and her USA team journeyed to Mexico City, Mexico, looking to capture the USA women's first World University Games gold medal.

Finally, after consecutive silver medal finishes in 1977 and 1973, the Americans won the gold, and in the process defeated the Soviet Union women for the first time in a major international competition since 1957.

The Americans jumped on Costa Rica right from the start and sailed to a 132-34 win as Lynette Woodard scored 27 points. Facing a strong Canadian team that had earlier defeated the U.S. squad at a pre-World University Games tournament, the U.S. women received a 24 point effort from Tara Heiss and 22 points from Carol Blazejowski en route to a 92-78 victory.

Host Mexico proved little concern for the U.S. as Woodard and Heiss each tossed in 18 points in the 78-52 win. Cuba loomed next for the Americans, and having suffered a 91-86 loss to the Cubans earlier that summer at the Pan American Games, the U.S. women wanted revenge. Behind the play of Blazejowski, the U.S. took command early, led comfortably 52-27 at half, and cruised from there to a 105-74 victory. Blazejowski finished with 28 points to lead the USA.

Playing its fifth game in as many days, the USA faced the Soviet Union in a 'must' game if the gold was to be realized. The U.S. trailed the Soviets 47-46 at half, but rallied in the second half to capture an 83-81 win. Five U.S. players scored in double figures, but it was 6'3' Heidi Wayment's offensive rebound and put-back with 44 seconds remaining that gave the U.S. an 81-79 lead. Heiss, who finished with a team high 20 points, added a pair of free throws with nine seconds remaining in the game to give the U.S. an 83-79 lead and ice the win.

A second game with Canada proved a difficult task for the weary U.S. squad. Trailing at half 40-31, the Americans outgunned the Canadians 37-20 in the second half and captured the 68-60 victory as Blazejowski scored 19 points.

Again facing Cuba, this time in the gold medal game, Heiss scored 16 first-half points to lead the U.S. to a 41-34 halftime advantage. When Heiss fell into foul trouble in the second half, Blazejowski and Woodard stepped forward and scored 11 second-half points each to help lead the U.S. to a 73-60 victory and its first World University Games gold medal.

The USA's offense was led by the trio of Blazejowski, 18.4 ppg., Heiss, 16.7 ppg., and Woodard, 12.7 ppg. The team averaged 90.1 ppg., while giving up only 62.0 ppg., and finished with a perfect 7-0 record.

Canada earned the bronze medal after beating Bulgaria 67-61.

1979 USA WOMEN'S WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES CUMULATIVE STATISTICS