USA ADVANCES TO MEDAL SEMIFINALS IN WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES

Behind a USA World University Games single record of 32 points from 6-8

forward Chris Owens (Texas), the USA (6-0) ran away with its sixth victory

in as many games by downing South Korea 128-97 on Tuesday night in Beijing.

The win upped the USA's record at the 2001 Games to 6-0 and extended the

USA's overall winning streak at the World University Games to 46. As the No.

1 seed out of quarterfinal medal round Group K, the United States will face

also unbeaten host China (5-0) on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. (local time).

Yugoslavia (5-0) advanced to medal semifinal play and will compete against

the No. 1 team out of Group L. The winners of both semifinal contests will

compete for the World University Games men's basketball gold medal on Friday

night at 9:00 p.m.

South Korea started the contest by taking a 7-4 edge at 8:28, but that

would be its only lead of the game as the United States took the lead for

good, 8-6, following a Juan Dixon (Maryland) steal and field goal at 6:45.

Holding a slim 10-8 lead, the U.S. scored seven uncontested points before

the Koreans closed the gap to 27-24 at the end of the first quarter.

After swapping baskets to open the second period, the U.S. nudged the gap

to four points, 34-30, with 8:11 to go in the half. Owens, who scored 16 of

his 32 points in the second quarter, scored his squad's first six and final

four points in a United States 17-6 scoring frenzy which left the USA in

command 51-36 at 3:39. By the halftime buzzer, the United States held a

62-45 advantage.

Temple's Lynn Greer was held to his lowest output of the games,

contributing five points on 2-for-9 shooting from the field in 17 minutes of

action.

Temple University Athletics