Kazan, Russia – Nebraska’s Jordan Hooper scored five points and grabbed five rebounds to help the USA Basketball Women’s World University Games Team to a dramatic 79-78 victory over Australia in the semifinals Saturday.

Crystal Bradford (Central Michigan) hit the game-winning shot with 14 seconds left in a see-saw game for the United States. The U.S. squad trailed by as many as nine points in the first quarter, then responded to build a 17-point lead with just over seven minutes left in the game. But a furious 24-5 rally in just over five minutes in the fourth quarter, left Australia with a 78-76 lead in the final minute. Bradford saved the day by scoring the final three points in the final minute. She finished with nine points.

The U.S. team will face Russia in Monday’s gold medal game. Russia cruised into the title game with a 69-51 victory over Chinese Taipei. The USA will play for gold on Monday, July 15 at 12:30 p.m. with live national TV coverage on ESPNU.

Hooper, a 6-2 senior forward from Alliance, Neb., scored three points late in the second quarter, tying the game at 31 with 1:16 left. For the United States, who trailed 20-13 at the end of the first quarter, it marked the first time the USA had matched the Australians in the game.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (UConn) added a free throw to give the United States its first lead of the game at 32-31 with 54 seconds left, before Alice Kunek hit a shot to send Australia to halftime with a 33-32 lead.

The United States owned the third quarter, including its final two points of the period from Hooper, building its then-largest lead of the game at 62-47 with 27 seconds left in the quarter.

Hooper’s five points and five boards came in just 11 minutes, giving her one of the most productive days by a U.S. player. She added a steal while going 2-of-3 from the field and 1-of-2 at the line for the United States. In her first five international games, Hooper has averaged 6.0 points and 5.2 rebounds in just over 12 minutes per game for the USA. Taken over a 40-minute game, Hooper would be averaging 19.0 points and 16.5 rebounds for the United States throughout the World University Games.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis produced the game’s only double-double with 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds in 35 minutes of action. Mosqueda-Lewis went 4-of-12 from the field.

Odyssey Sims (Baylor), who led the USA with 20 points in 35 minutes, pumped in 12 in the third quarter, while Bria Hartley (UConn) and Aaryn Ellenberg (Oklahoma) each added five points in the quarter. Hartley finished with 14 points while Ellenberg pitched in seven. Hartley’s 14 points came in 35 minutes, but she went just 4-of-13 from the floor.

The U.S. squad pushed its margin to 17 points at 71-54 with seven minutes left, thanks in part to five early points in the quarter from LSU center Theresa Plaisance, who finished with 10 points and three boards in the game.

But the Australians mounted a furious rally, scoring 10 straight points in less than two minutes to trim the U.S. lead to 71-64 with 5:12 left.

Hartley answered with a three-point play to return the margin to double figures at 74-64 with 4:50 remaining.

After Australia’s Kunek hit a pair of free throws, Sims hit a shot to give Team USA a 76-66 edge with 3:51 left.

But Kunek fueled a 12-0 surge that gave the Australian’s a 78-76 lead with 1:08 left. Kunek led four Australians in double figures with 20 points and nine rebounds. Marianna Tolo contributed 16 points, including the two free throws with 1:08 remaining that gave Australia the lead. Kunek and Tolo combined for 20 of Australia’s 29 points in the final quarter.

Bradford then came up huge for the United States. Her free throw with 54 seconds left, cut Australia’s margin to one at 78-77, before her shot with 14 seconds left gave the USA a 79-78 victory. Bradford finished with nine points, three rebounds, a steal and a block in 16 minutes.

A replay of Saturday’s exciting game, which was televised live nationally by ESPNU, will re-air in its entirety at 9 p.m.on ESPNU. It will also re-air on Sunday at 4 and 10 a.m.

The USA advances to Monday’s gold medal game, which will tip at 12:30 p.m., with live national TV coverage by ESPNU. The gold medal game will re-air on ESPNU at 8 p.m. on Monday and at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16.

USA Basketball Women’s World University Games Results & Schedule
Monday, July 8 – USA 120, Mali 32 (Pool B)
Tuesday, July 9 – USA 101, Czech Republic 61 (Pool B)
Wednesday, July 10 – USA 105, Brazil 75 (Pool B)
Friday, July 12 – USA 103, Sweden 72 (Quarterfinals)
Saturday, July 13 – USA 79, Australia 78 (Semifinals)
ESPNU will re-air Saturday, July 13 at 9 p.m., and Sunday, July 14 at 4 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Monday, July 15 – Gold Medal Game – 12:30 p.m. (ESPNU Live)
  ESPNU will re-air at 8 p.m. and on Tuesday, July 16 at 7 a.m

Lincoln—The Opening Ceremonies for the 29^th annual Cornhusker State Games–featuring skydivers, fireworks, a parade of athletes, a basketball/unicycle exhibition by a family of 14, a mascot race, a concert by Groove Puppet and the revelation of the Mystery Torchlighter–are set for 8 p.m. Friday, July 19 at Lincoln’s Seacrest Field, 7600 A St.

Competition actually began today, with 381 swimmers taking to the water at Woods Pool and 17 sporting clays marksmen breaking targets at Lincoln Trap & Skeet.  The remainder of the 67 sports commence on July 20, with more than 11,000 athletes registered overall.  Entries are still open in several sports and those interested can register or find information at CornhuskerStateGames.com.

The Opening Ceremonies are preceded by SportFest at 5 p.m. featuring a meal for athletes and guests, inflatable games, temporary tattoos, a tennis demo, vendor booths, photo booths, a meet-and-greet and Sportsmanship Rally with the Husker softball team, several performances by Lincoln’s En Pointe Dance Academy and a sneak preview of the Crevier Family’s Spintastic show.  Organizers expect more than 5,000 at SportFest and 9,000 at the Opening Ceremonies.

The Ceremonies are kicked off by the Olympic-style parade of athletes, led by recently-retired East High Basketball and Track Coach Ed McPherren as the honorary parade marshal.

Celebrity guests include U.S. Congressman Jeff Fortenberry, Brigadier General Daryl Bohac of the Nebraska National Guard, Husker Softball Coach Rhonda Revelle and Lincoln Mayor Chris Beutler.

Skydiver Mike Blackshear will make his 29^th jump into the Opening Ceremonies for a perfect attendance record since the Games began in 1985.  Fellow jumper Larry Bartlett, who will—as usual—fly in with the American flag in tow with 27 Games O.C appearances under his belt.

The mascot lineup includes Sylvester—Lincoln Southwest, Runza Rex, Homer—Lincoln Saltdogs’, Sergeant Rock–National Guard, Sporty the Torch—Nebraska Sports Council, Haywire—Lincoln Haymakers, Casey & Stormy—Omaha Stormchasers, Subman—Subway, Buzz the Bee—Applebee’s, I.C. Starz—Lincoln Stars and The Penny—Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs.

The headline act, including Bruce and Diane Crevier and their 12 children, do a show they call Spin-tacular, combining basketball and unicycle tricks with inspirational messaging.  The family travels the nation performing at half-time shows for NCAA and NBA teams and has appeared on national television multiple times, most recently on the first two rounds of this season’s America’s Got Talent. Bruce Crevier holds the Guinness World Record for spinning one basketball the longest time at 22 hours and 12 minutes.

Groove Puppet has been performing rock originals and covers at venues across the Midwest since 2000.  The seven-piece band will bring its mix of horns, a driving rhythm section and lively vocals to the post-torchlighting concert.

The national anthem will be sung by Fremont 12 year-old Payton Eyler, who won the third annual Cornhusker State Games National Anthem contest, sponsored by Amigos/Kings Classic.  The 7^th Grader-to-be has already performed the anthem for a UNO Hockey game and numerous school events in Fremont.

In keeping with tradition, the identity of the 2013 Torchlighter will not be revealed until the end of the Ceremonies.  Once the caldron is ablaze, this year’s honorary chairmen, Jeff Barclay and Scott Ritter owners of Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs, a long-time sponsor of the Games, will declare the competitions open.  The fireworks display and Groove Puppet concert will cap the show.

Chris Lofgreen, voice of the Lincoln Saltdogs, will handle P.A. announcer duties and KOLN-KGIN anchors Kevin Sjuts and Chad Silber will serve as field hosts.  KFRX Radio morning host Lindsey Nielsen is the emcee for SportFest performances.  Veteran CSG volunteer Dave Tinius is the Opening Ceremonies Chairman and Lincoln Journal-Star Entertainment Writer Kent Wolgamott is the show director.

Admission is free for registered athletes. For all others: $10 for adults, $5 for students age 6-18 and free for kids five and under.  All admission fees include the SportFest meal and Opening Ceremonies admission. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or at the Nebraska Sports Council offices at 4903 N. 57^th Street in Lincoln.

The Cornhusker State Games is conducted by the Nebraska Sports Council.  Platinum partners include St. Elizabeth Regional Medical Center, BlueCross and BlueShield of Nebraska and Nebraska Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine.  Learn more at CornhuskerStateGames.com.