Led by LSU senior Seimone Augustus, the USA Women’s World University Games Team earned its sixth gold medal in 14 World University Games on Friday after defeating Serbia and Montenegro 79-53. Augustus scored a team-high 18 points, which was accompanied by teammate Sylvia Fowles’ 12 points, and Team USA finished 7-0 in the tournament.
Although the U.S. team won the gold, Augustus said the entire experience is what was most important.
“We’ve accomplished a lot,” Augustus said. “We come from so many different schools and we’ve meshed together like a team that’s been playing together for years.”
For LSU coach Pokey Chatman, who was an assistant on the team, it is also about the learning experience for the coaches.
“Some players don’t realize it, but they also teach the coaches,” Chatman said. “It’s not a one-way street,and I’m able to take a lot away from being with these players.”
Augustus, Fowles and Chatman returned to Europe following the funeral of former LSU coach Sue Gunter.
“The fact that I had to leave USA basketball was simply an adjustment,” Chatman said. “It was just what I had to do next.”
After blowing out the Czech Republic 88-64, Augustus and Fowles returned to Turkey to beat South Africa 92-22.
Augustus scored a team high of 18 points on 9 of 12 shooting.
“My teammates helped me [play well after missing the first game],” Augustus said, following the victory over South Africa. “As long as you have good teammates and a great coaching staff, you can do anything.”
The following day, Fowles led Team USA with 23 points after beating Chin, 107-54.
LSU’s duo continued to thrive as they led the U.S. women’s team through the next two games over Poland and Taiwan, beating the two by a combined 105 points. Through seven games of the tournament, Fowles led the team with 12.9 points, followed by Augustus, who averaged 12.1 points a game.
Contact Jeff Sentell at [email protected]