FOURTH FIBA WOMEN'S U19/JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP -- 1997

Natal, Brazil - July 5-13, 1997

In capturing the 1997 FIBA Women's Junior World Championship gold medal with a 6-1 record in Natal, Brazil, the 1997 USA Juniors made history, becoming the first USA squad to earn a medal of any kind at a FIBA Women's Junior World Championship.

1997 Junior World Championship Team 1997 USA RESULTS (6-1) USA 84 Japan 65 Australia 80 USA 74 USA 92 Cuba 88 USA 76 Russia 46 USA 70 Spain 56 USA 90 Slovakia 77 USA 78 Australia 74 (OT) 1997 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMP. FINAL STANDINGS 1. USA (6-1) 7. China (3-4) 2. Australia (5-2) 8. Spain (2-5) 3. Slovakia (5-2) 9. Argentina (3-4) 4. Brazil (4-3) 10. Mali (2-5) 5. Russia (6-1) 11. Cuba (2-5) 6. Czech Republic (4-3) 12. Japan (0-6)

Facing the defending Junior World champs Australia next, the U.S. let a 13-point second half lead slip away as the Aussies rallied back from a 59-46 deficit to capture an 80-74 victory. Tamika Catchings led the U.S. with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the loss.

Contributing 23 points apiece, Martin and Lynn Pride led the United States to a tight 92-88 victory over Cuba in their third contest. The USA led by as many as 16 points, however Cuba rallied to pull within one at 86-85 at 1:40 left. But the USA scored six consecutive points to take charge 92-85 with 32 seconds to go, would not let victory slip away this time and earned the 92-88 win.

Standing 2-1 in preliminary play and in a must-win situation in order to keep its gold medal hopes alive, the U.S., behind a game high 15 points from Kristen Clement, thrashed a then-unbeaten Russia 76-46.

With the help of a game high 20 points from Martin, the USA cruised past Spain 70-56 to close-out preliminary play and advance to the medal round.

In the semifinals, NicholeTeasley scored 21 points to lead five U.S. players in double-digit scoring as the United States defeated Slovakia 90-77 to advance to the gold medal contest for the first time in Junior World Championship history.

Backed by 21 points and 10 rebounds from Martin, the USA dethroned defending Junior champion Australia 78-74 in an overtime thriller to capture the 1997 FIBA Junior World Championship gold medal.

Heading into overtime, but only after Australia hit a jumper with three seconds left to tie the contest 66-66 to force the overtime, the Australians scored first. But Catchings scored for the U.S. to knot the game at 68. The U.S. then recorded a 7-2 spurt to grab a 75-70 advantage with 1:26 remaining in the extra period.

Following an Aussie field goal at 1:10, Martin converted on the second of two free throws to push the Americans' lead to 76-72 at the 1:01 mark. Australia closed to within two points with 30 seconds to go, but with 25 seconds showing on the clock, Teasley made the second of two free throws to give the U.S. a three-point edge, 77-74. The USA's defense kept Australia from scoring and with three seconds to go, Teasley made the first of two free throws and the United States had the 78-74 overtime victory and the gold medal.