WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES : U.S. Men Beat China to Gain Basketball Final

The U.S. men’s basketball team earned the chance to play for the gold medal with a 129-91 victory over China on Friday night at the World University Games at Buffalo, N.Y.

The United States (6-0) will meet Canada (5-1), a 77-74 winner over Italy in the other semifinal, tonight.

The United States, the two-time defending gold medalist, led, 77-29, at halftime as it shot 71% (28 for 39), missing only one of seven three-point attempts.

“I have never seen a half like that,” said U.S. Coach Reggie Minton of the Air Force Academy. “There was a lot of scoring. They just played tremendous. I can’t imagine playing any better. You start to get concerned about where it’s going. When you’re up 48 at the half, things are going pretty well.”

Sharone Wright of Clemson had 17 points to lead six U.S. players in double figures.

The U.S. women’s basketball team, however, can manage no better than a bronze medal after losing to China, 75-73, despite holding China without a field goal in the final 5:35. The United States will play Lithuania for the bronze.

In track and field, Derrick Adkins won the gold in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 49.35 seconds, and Amy Wickus won the women’s 800, outlasting Inez Turner of Jamaica.

Adkins said he had to beat 1991 world champion Samuel Metete of Zambia, and when Metete stumbled at the first hurdle, Adkins took command of the race. Metete surged to nearly catch Adkins, but then faded to fourth.

Chris Volgenau of Colorado took a bronze in the shotput. Trevaia Williams of Nevada Las Vegas was third in the women’s 400 hurdles.

In women’s volleyball, Romania defeated the United States in four games for the gold medal.