U.S. men's gold in Univ. Games is 1st since '99

IZMIR, Turkey -- Boston College's Craig Smith scored 16 points,and Duke's Shelden Williams added 15 points and 14 rebounds Sunday tolead the United States past Ukraine 85-70 for the basketball goldmedal at the University Games.

The U.S. men finished with an 8-0 record and won their 13thbasketball gold at the University Games since 1965 but their firstsince 1999.

Defending champion Serbia-Montenegro topped Russia 86-77 for thebronze medal.

With the U.S. women defeating Serbia-Montenegro for the gold medalFriday, the United States recorded the first basketball double at theevent since 1997.

"We take the responsibility of representing United Statesbasketball very seriously," coach Jay Wright of Villanova said. "Yourealize the enormity of who you are representing -- the best playersin the world, the best coaches in the world -- and you just want todo it justice."

The winning margin of 15 points was the Americans' second-lowestin the tournament. Wright cited Ukraine's persistence and smartdefense.

"We never felt like we could put this team away," he said.

Also scoring in double figures for the Americans were ChrisHernandez of Stanford, Randy Foye of Villanova, Vincent Grier ofMinnesota and Gerry McNamara of Syracuse.

"What we are most proud of is these young guys really wanted to bepart of the U.S. basketball team," Wright said. "They didn't care whowas the leading scorer. That's unique these days."

Ukraine trailed 24-17 after one quarter and shot 32 percent to 43percent for the United States.

Wright said celebrations will be put on hold until today.

"We're all going to pack tonight, so we can have a nice day at[the beach] tomorrow," he said.

AP