Temple University Athletics
Staley Leads Pan American Games Team To First Gold Medal Since 1987
7.25.07 | Women's Basketball
July 25, 2007
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil- Temple's Dawn Staley led the USA Pan American Games team to a perfect 5-0 record and its first gold medal since 1987, when the squad defeated host Brazil, 79-66, in the Pan Am title game on Tuesday night in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rutgers's Matee Ajavon posted a team-high 27 points and tied a USA record for most field goals made in a game on 11-of-18 shooting.
"This feels terrific. We came down here as the youngest team in the tournament, but they also came out here with the biggest hearts," remarked USA head coach Staley. "I thought we had a shot of winning it because they all bought into the USA Basketball system which is a no star system. Everybody played their roles to the fullest and that's why we won. If it was any other way I think we could of come up short today.
"The committee put together a great team, full of players who are use to playing in this type of environment. In every single game here someone else has stepped up. Tonight it was Matee's night. We made adjustments as a coaching staff to alleviate some of the defensive assignments she had so she could do a little bit more on the offensive end and I think that was a great strategy by our coaching staff. This is a wonderful feeling, it's a tremendous feeling."
Trailing for much of the first half, the U.S. nosed ahead in the third quarter, then surrendered the lead and trailed, 53- 49, heading into the final period. Behind a huge offensive outburst from Ajavon, Team USA blitzed Brazil by a 30-13 margin in the fourth quarter to win the game going away.
"This is my first USA Basketball team and I think your first ones are always pretty special," said Staley. "It's been fun just getting to know them. I recruited most of them to come to Temple and all of them turned me down. You know it is an opportunity for me to feel like a part of coaching them and guiding them to becoming Olympians through this experience. And, it's wonderful. It's all about giving back and trying to get them to understand what it takes to become an Olympian because it's one of the best feelings you can ever have in your life."
The USA ran through Columbia, Argentina, Cuba and Canada to reach the title game, outscoring its opponents by an average of 37 ppg.
Staley was a member of the Pan American Games Team in 1995, a squad which many thought was one of the most talented teams ever compiled. Former Temple assistant coach Carla Mchee, WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes and North Carolina's Sylvia Crawley were just a few of the talented names that never saw action. The Games were cancelled just weeks before their start, due to the fact that only four teams were confirmed to be playing.
Staley's next assignment for USA Basketball is as an assistant coach for the Senior National Team, which is in the process of qualifying for the Olympics. Staley will stay in that role at least through the 2008 Games in Beijing.
Started in 1951 for men and 1955 for women, the Pan American Games are held every four years in the year prior to the Olympics and are open only to countries from FIBA Americas. The USA women have won seven of 13 gold medals and rolled up a 72-12 record.
