The US rebounded from a big loss against Lithuania to beat another men's basketball favorite at the World University Games yesterday.
The US, represented by the University of Northern Iowa, defeated Angola 84-26 to even their record at 1-1.
On Tuesday, Lithuania beat the US 97-63 in a game in which the US never threatened to control, trailing 32-10 after the first period. Yesterday, it was a different story, with the US leading Angola 23-5 after the opening quarter.
PHOTO: AP
Jordan Egiseder led the US team with 16 points, while captain Jared Josten added 13.
In 18 World University Games, the US has won 13 gold medals in men's basketball while posting an overall record of 125-7. The 2005 US team, an all-star side coached by Villanova's Jay Wright, won the gold medal, defeating Ukraine in the championship game.
Meanwhile, Marc Rjeily's World University Games experience lasted all of 10 seconds.
The Lebanese taekwondo competitor was knocked out by Stephen Lambdin of the US in the first round of their 84kg class at the games.
Doctors said Rjeily had suffered a broken jaw in the Thursday match.
Things weren't much better for Tudor Sanon, a 23-year-old Haitian who spent 30 hours flying to Bangkok with his coach. He lost his first-round match to Canadian Lawrence Reginald.
There will also be a few more Thai millionaires around after the games end on Aug. 18. The government's bonus scheme will see home team gold medalists awarded 1 million baht (US$32,000), silver medalists getting half that amount and bronze winners 200,000 baht.
The government had to cough up 4 million baht on Thursday when the Thais won the men's 400m relay and 2 million baht when the women's team finished second behind Finland in their relay.
Pirom Autas, Wachara Sondee, Sompote Suwannarangsri and Sittichai Suwonprateep clocked 39.15 seconds to win the men's relay.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
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