WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES : Cuba Rallies to Defeat U.S. in Women’s Basketball, 88-80

The Cuban athletes don’t seem bothered by the apparent defection of three of their compatriots.

The Cuban baseball team, which has lost two of the three defectors, talked with fans and gave autographs with few security people nearby as they beat Italy, 12-0, Tuesday in the World University Games in Buffalo.

The Cuban women’s basketball team overcame an 18-point deficit early in the second half with an 88-80 victory over the United States at the World University Games in Buffalo, N.Y.

Cuba (5-0) made 23 of 40 shots in the second half, while forcing 15 of the United States’ 25 turnovers.

“In the first half we played no defense, and when we finally did in the second half, we acquired confidence and knew we could really win,” Cuba Coach Manuel Perez said.

Milaida Enrique led Cuba with 18 points. LeJuana Hardmon of Georgia scored 19 for the United States.

The United States (4-1) can reach the medal round with a victory over Japan today because the top two teams from each pool in the qualifying round advance.

In other basketball, the U.S. men continued unbeaten with a 103-73 romp over Italy. Eric Piatkowski of Nebraska led the U.S. men with 19 points.

In other sports, three Americans advanced to the finals in men’s 1-meter diving: Dean Panaro of Miami, Fla; P.J. Bogart of Minnesota; and David Pichler of Ohio State. China’s Sheng Chen and Yijie Wang were the leaders.

Michael Sell of Georgia and Rob Givone of Georgia Tech advanced to the semifinals in tennis doubles, beating Britain’s Jonathan Haycock and Jeffrey Hunter, 6-1, 6-2. Heather Willens of Stanford and Pam Nelson of California lost to Eva Marie Schurhoff and Sabine Gerke of Germany, 7-5, 7-6 (8-6).