University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA's Thomas Welsh Helps Team USA Capture Gold Medal
Playing in Heraklion, Greece, on the Mediterranean island of Crete, Team USA posted a perfect 7-0 record in the international tournament, helping the United States defend its gold medal performance from 2013.
Welsh, a 7-foot center from Redondo Beach, Calif., averaged 2.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.7 blocks in 9.2 minutes per game in Team USA’s seven contests. Welsh scored a tournament-best five points and registered five rebounds in 11 minutes of action in the team’s win over Argentina on July 1.
In the gold medal game on Sunday, Team USA maintained the lead throughout the game before Croatia closed the gap in the final minutes. The United States led 67-66 before Croatia went to the free throw line with 4.3 seconds remaining, connecting on one of two free throw attempts to tie the game, 67-67. Team USA’s buzzer-beating shot attempt was unsuccessful, sending the game into overtime.
In the extra session on Sunday, the United States outscored Croatia by a 13-4 margin to capture the gold medal.
Team USA’s route to the gold medal game came after an 86-65 quarterfinal victory against Italy on July 3 and an 82-76 semifinal win against host Greece on July 4.