Okafor's 18 Not Enough as USA Pan American Team Falls to Brazil; Turner and Strother Each Score Six to Help the Women's Side Defeat Argentina

SANTO DOMINGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (August 6) --  University of Connecticut forward Emeka Okafor (Houston, TX) poured in 18 points on 8-for-11 shooting but The United States Pan American Team fell short, 92-80, to Brazil.  With the loss, the United States Team will play Puerto Rico at 7:00pm Wednesday with the bronze medal at stake.  UConn guard Ben Gordon (Mt. Vernon, NY) hit the only shot he took for two points in four minutes of action. 

The women's Pan American Team defeated Argentina 93-78 and guaranteed itself a spot in the medal round which will begin Friday.  UConn guards Ann Strother (Castle Rock, CO) and Barbara Turner (Cleveland, OH) each pitched in with six points and Strother also grabbed six boards.

Leading 48-43 at the half, the women's Pan American Team took control of the contest with an 11-4 run to open up the third quarter.  A 9-0 run in the middle of third quarter allowed The USA to to outscore Argentina 30-13 in the third quarter and put the game out of reach. 

On the men's side, Team USA took its final lead of the game, 76-74, with 4:18 remaining in the fourth quarter.  However, Team USA went ice cold from that point and Brazil heated-up, scoring 13 unanswered points including eight from the charity stripe.