University of Georgia Athletics
Houts, U.S. U21 Team Capture World Championships Gold
July 09, 2007 | Women's Basketball
Georgia’s Ashley Houts, the only rising sophomore named to the squad, failed to score in nine minutes of playing time in the championship the first outing in which she did not tally a point in the Americans’ undefeated eight-game run to the title.
“I don’t know if there’s a certain word that can describe this feeling,” Houts said after claiming her medal. “It’s been a great opportunity to come here and be a part of this. This is a great group of girls and coaches and just to finish it out, that was our primary goal and we fulfilled it.”
Maryland’s Crystal Langhorne poured in 23 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead a quartet of U.S. players in double figures.
The Americans endured a much tougher outing against Australia in their opening game at the World Championships nine days earlier, rallying from a 16-point deficit en route to a 90-88 victory.
PThe U.S. started much quicker on Sunday and left little doubt of the game’s outcome. The Americans raced to a 32-21 lead after the opening period and expanded the margin to 13 points at halftime.
The U.S. gradually grew its lead throughout the second half to build a 75-56 lead with 10 minutes remaining. Australia rallied with an 11-0 run to cut the deficit to eight points before the Americans responded with a 10-0 surge of their own to end any doubt.
Houts joins an elite group of Lady Bulldogs to capture World Championship titles. Teresa Edwards and Katrina McClain were the backbone of virtually every U.S. Senior National team for more than a decade and won multiple World and Olympic Gold Medals. Four years ago, Christi Thomas earned a spot of the all-tournament team at the inaugural FIBA U21 World Championships.
Two more current Lady Bulldogs are preparing for international competition later this summer. Three-time All-American Tasha Humphrey is a finalist for the U.S. team that will compete in the Pan American Games in Brazil later this month. Jaleesa Rhoden, a redshirt freshman, is slated to represent Canada at the FIBA U19 World Championships later this month as well.