WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES : Panaro of U.S. Finishes Second in Diving; Leslie Has Big Game

American Dean Panaro chased China’s Lan Wei all the way in pursuit of the first diving gold medal of the World University Games Thursday, but wound up with the silver.

Panaro, who turned 20 three days ago, was 1.32 points behind Wei, who totaled 377.64 in the one-meter springboard final.

Australia’s Simon McCormack gained the bronze, a distant third with 334.83 points.

On a day when the swimmers took a break, the divers took over the Ponds Forge pool for the first time in the 16th Games.

About 5,500 competitors from 111 countries, the largest field outside of the Olympics, are contesting track and field, swimming, diving, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, fencing, soccer, tennis, water polo and field hockey.

USC’s Lisa Leslie scored 21 points as the U.S. women’s basketball team won its fourth game in a row, defeating the Soviets, 106-80.

Soviet gymnast Elena Sazonenkova scored a 9.80 on the floor exercise to come from second place and take the women’s all-around championship.

Americans Kristen Kenoyer, Chari Knight and Aimee Trepanier finished eighth, ninth and 11th.

North Korea’s Li Gyong Hui won the all-around competition in rhythmic gymnastics while a controversy raged over point deductions for skimpy leotards.

In an apparent first-time crackdown, the judges handed out penalties because they considered some costumes too revealing.

In two days, 28 competitors in the rhythmic event received a 0.2 deduction when their outfits were judged improper.