Oklahoma State University Athletics
Team USA Falls to Russia, 69-68
July 10, 2009 | Cowboy Basketball
July 10, 2009
Belgrade, Serbia — Team USA dropped a heartbreaking 69-68 decision to Russia here Friday at the World University Games. Russia will face Serbia in the gold-medal game on Saturday, while the United States will play Israel in the bronze-medal game.
Russia outscored the U.S. 20-9 in the final period, but the Americans still held a two-point lead with less than 45 seconds to play at 68-66 after Trevor Booker connected on two free throws. However, Nikita Shabalkin hit a three pointer with 23.3 seconds to go, and three attempts in the waning seconds failed to go through the hoop for Team USA.
Corey Fisher and Robbie Hummel scored 14 points apiece for the U.S., while Dean Thompson finished the night with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Oklahoma State's James Anderson scored two points and had a blocked shot in eight minutes of playing time. The U.S. (5-1) will face Israel (6-1) in Saturday's bronze-medal game at 11 a.m. CT.
