World University Games : Soviet Union Defeats U.S. Men on Last-Second, 3-Point Basket

A three-point basket in the final seconds brought the Soviet Union a 96-93 victory over the United States in the 1985 World University Games men’s basketball final Tuesday.

With three minutes remaining, the U.S. team led the see-saw game, 88-86, on two free throws by Chuck Person of Auburn, after the top Soviet player, Arvidas-Romas Sabonis, the tournament’s tallest player at 7-2 1/2, fouled out.

With less than two minutes to play, Valery Korolev scored on a dunk shot for a 90-89 Soviet lead, but Person tied the score with a free throw.

The scored was tied again, 93-93, when Alexandre Belostenny hit the first of two free throws. With 39 seconds left, Person was fouled, but missed his free throw.

The Soviets then stalled until Valdemaras Khomitchus dribbled across the court to the side and took a 21-foot desperation shot that swished through the net.

The Americans hit 18 of 28 free-throw attempts, the Soviets hit 14 of 25.