1985 WOMEN'S R. WILLIAM JONES CUP

Taipei, Taiwan - June 15-28, 1985

Capturing the gold for the second straight year at the R. William Jones Cup, the USA swept throught their final six games, including three contests that were decided by two points or less, to clinch the tournament championship in Taipei, Taiwan.

1985 USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Team 1985 USA RESULTS (7-1) USA 92 Philippines 18 Sweden 65 USA 54 USA 61 South Korea 53 USA 56 Rep. of China 55 USA 67 F.R. of Germany 54 USA 65 Canada 63 USA 69 Brazil 49 USA 56 Japan 54 1985 R. WILLIAM JONES CUP FINAL STANDINGS 1. USA (7-1)* 9. Italy (5-2)# 2. Canada (8-1)* 10. Australia (4-3)# 3. South Korea (6-2)* 11. ROC-Kuang Hua (3-4)# 4. Sweden (6-2)* 12. Philippines (2-5)# 5. F.R. of Germany (5-4) 13. Malaysia (1-6)# 6. Brazil (3-5) 14. Thailand (0-7)# 7. Rep. of China (3-6) 8. Japan (2-7) * NOTE: Standings determined by point differential between tied teams #Consolation round standings

After easily trouncing the Philippines 92-18 in their opening contest, the USA was pitted against a surprising Swedish squad in game number two.

Despite a 17 point effort from forward Gay Hemphill, the U.S. fell 65-54 to Sweden. After keeping pace with each other from the opening tip, the USA and Sweden finished the first half tied at 31-31. The U.S. outscored Sweden 12-6 to open the second half to jump ahead 43-37, but Sweden reeled off 13 unanswered points to regain control 50-43. The USA never recovered and Sweden rolled on to the 65-54 win.

Bouncing back from their loss, the USA, behind 17 points from Hemphill, handed South Korea its first loss of the tournament 61-53. The score was knotted 30-30 at the half, but the U.S. jumped out to an early second half lead 35-32, then steadily increased its lead and earned the 61-53 victory.

The Americans edged out a previously unbeaten Republic of China team by a narrow margin 56-55 with the help of a team-high 16 points by University of Texas forward Fran Harris.

The USA thrashed Germany 67-54 after leaping to a quick 45-27 halftime advantage. The U.S. then settled into the second half and cruised to the easy victory. Hemphill again led all scorers with 19 points.

Following a day off, the USA faced eventual silver medalist Canada. At halftime Canada held a 42-30 advantage and with just over seven minutes to play, still led by 12 points at 59-47. Needing a win if they were to have a shot at the gold, the USA made a valient comeback, outscoring Canada 18-4 to close out the game for the 65-63 come-from-behind victory. 6'1' Lisa O'Conner paced the U.S. with 18 points and 6'3' Kahadeejah Herbert added 12, including eight of the USA's final 18 points.

Brazil proved to be no match for the USA as the North Americans easily handled Brazil 69-49.

In the final game, and with their gold medal fate in their own hands, the U.S. led Japan 31-27 at the close of the first half. Japan closed the gap in the second stanza, and with five minutes to go, took the lead 51-48. Fighting back, the USA outscored Japan 8-3 in the closing minutes to clinch the two-point, 56-54, victory and the gold medal with a 7-1 record.

All-Tournament honors were earned by Harris and Suzie McConnell who averaged 9.5 ppg. and 9.3 ppg., respectively.

1985 USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Team Cumulative Statistics