USA Ends Preliminaries Undefeated

July 3, 2009

BELGRADE, Serbia -- Team USA completed preliminary play at the World University Games undefeated with its 84-50 victory against home team Serbia Friday.

Oklahoma's Danielle Robinson scored five points and added three assists and two steals. Connecticut's Tina Charles led the U.S. with 17 points.

Team USA counted on its size once again, outrebounding Serbia 44-18. The U.S. shot 48 percent from the field and made 23 of 30 free throws.

"I think we were prepared for a close game, and at the same time, we knew that if we rebounded and played defense, we could pretty much dominate the game," USA head coach Charli Turner Thorne said.

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Box Score

"I am really proud of this team for their composure and playing through rough play. We did anticipate Serbia would be very aggressive after scouting them, and the crowd was certainly in their favor, but it was fun. This is what we prepared for -- a big arena, big crowd and having to pull together and find a way to get things done. It was another great team win."

Serbia became the first team to challenge the Americans, although briefly. The U.S. led 20-14 after the first quarter, but allowed Serbia to score only 36 points for the remainder of the game.

Jovana Rad had 17 points as the only Serb to score in double figures.

The second round of the World University Games pits teams in a four-group, seeded pool play. The top two teams in each group following the round will play for first through eighth place.

The U.S. will meet Poland, the No. 2 seed from Group D, Sunday.

“We have checked off three wins, and we need seven total,” Turner Thorne said. “It's a game-by-game process, and I'm looking at it one game at a time. Our goal is to win every game, and I think we have positioned ourselves well.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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