Yugoslavia Beats U.S. 81-78 in Hoops

<br>INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ There will be no medal _ gold, silver or bronze _ for the United States at the World Championships. <br><br>In yet another stunning outcome, Yugoslavia came back from a 10-point

Friday, September 6th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ There will be no medal _ gold, silver or bronze _ for the United States at the World Championships.

In yet another stunning outcome, Yugoslavia came back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter and defeated the U.S. team 81-78 Thursday night.

After going 58-0 using NBA players in international competitions, the Americans have lost twice in a row. The best they can do now is finish fifth in this topsy-turvy tournament.

Cheered on by a raucous crowd of flag-waving, frantic fans who drowned out the home country's supporters, Yugoslavia advanced to the semifinals against New Zealand.

Much like Argentina did after defeating the United States on Wednesday night, the Yugoslavs celebrated, danced and hugged at midcourt as the stunned U.S. team watched.

``Right now, after beating the U.S., we think we can win the gold medal,'' Peja Stojakovic said.

Andre Miller had a chance to force overtime, but his long 3-point attempt just before the final buzzer came up short.

Stojakovic, one of five NBA players on Yugoslavia's roster, scored 20 points. Vlade Divac added 16 _ all in the first half _ and Milan Gurovic had 15.

Gurovic hit his third 3-pointer of the fourth quarter to give Yugoslavia a 77-73 lead with 56 seconds left. Andre Miller answered with a 3-pointer 18 seconds later, and Marko Jaric sank two free throws with 23 seconds left to restore a three-point lead.

Reggie Miller got open underneath for a layup with 13 seconds left, and the Americans quickly fouled Jaric. He calmly sank both, and the Americans _ out of timeouts _ were forced to try to tie it from behind the 3-point arc.

When Miller's shot missed, the Yugoslavian fans, players and media celebrated wildly. Jurovic was hoisted onto his teammates shoulders.

``This is a great victory for us,'' said Divac, who boldly stated a week ago that his team knew it could beat the United States. ``It's not fair for the U.S. team because there is so much pressure on them, and the international game is a different game than they're used to.''

Looking as though they were still thinking about their loss to Argentina, the Americans did not get off to a good start. Paul Pierce was whistled for a foul just 8 seconds in, and he committed his second _ both were questionable calls _ just 2 minutes in.

Coach George Karl called a very early timeout, but the Americans failed to box out on the next possession as Stojakovic scored on a tip-in for a 9-0 lead.

A 9-0 run got the Americans back in it, and the game stayed tight throughout the second quarter. Yugoslavia led for all but 66 seconds in the period, hitting big shots every time the Americans threatened to take the lead.

Divac had 16 points and five rebounds by halftime as Yugoslavia held a 40-36 lead. It was the second night in a row _ and the second time ever since 1992 _ that the U.S. team trailed at halftime.

Pressure defense in the backcourt helped the U.S. team take the lead early in the third. Pierce hit a 3-pointer after Reggie Miller stole the ball at midcourt, and Pierce then drove down the middle for an emphatic dunk and a 45-42 lead.

A layup by Baron Davis off the U.S. team's sixth steal of the quarter gave them a 56-46 lead, although Yugoslavia got the deficit down to six by the end of the quarter.

Baron Davis hit a 3 to start an 8-0 run that gave the Americans a 69-59 lead, but Gurovic answered with consecutive 3-pointers to start a 9-0 run that got Yugoslavia right back in it.

A 3-pointer by Jaric produced a 71-71 tie with 2:26 left, and a free throw by Dejan Bodiroga with 1:49 remaining gave Yugoslavia the lead for good.