Upstate Rio 2016!

On Sunday afternoon the US Men's Basketball Team defeated Serbia 96-66 capturing their third straight Olympic gold medal. The Serbians hung in with the US only down four at the end of the 1st quarter but the US dominated eventually winning by 30 points. Kevin Durant led the US attack with 30 points shooting 10/19 from the field and 5/11 from 3 point range. DeMarcus Cousins had a big game going for 13 points and 15 rebounds, and Carmelo Anthony scored 7 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in his final Olympic game for the US. The Serbians captured the silver medal and Spain earned the bronze medal defeating Australia Sunday morning  89-88 after Sergio Rodriguez's two  clutch free throws with 5 seconds left.

  The US Men's National Basketball Team advanced to the gold medal match against Serbia with a win over Spain 82-76. Spain hung in with the US only being down 11 at one point. There were many fouls in this game, 41 to be exact (20 on US, 21 on Spain). Klay Thompson had another big game scoring 22 points, Kevin Durant added 14 points and also passed LeBron James for second on the all time USA basketball scoring list. Pau Gasol led the Spaniards with 23 points, and 8 rebounds. The US will take on Serbia. The US has played this team, beating them so I believe that the US will take home gold. The gold medal match will be on Sunday, August 21st at 2:45pm on NBCSN. Spain will play in the bronze medal match against Australia at 10:30am on Sunday as well on NBCSN.

The USA Men's National Basketball Team defeated Argentina in Quarterfinal play on Wednesday evening 105-78. The Americans started off slow going down by 7 14-7 in the first 5:46, but they struck back going on a 36-19 run to close out the half. Kevin Durant led the US with 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Kyrie Irving added 11 points, Paul George dropped 17 and grabbed 8 boards, and Demarcus Cousins had 15 points. Manu Ginobili scored 14 points in his final game for Argentina, and Luis Scola led the team with 15 points. Andrès Nocioni added 12 points and Facundo Campazzo dropped 13 and dished out 9 assists. Team USA takes on Spain in the semifinal game on Friday, August 19th at 6:00pm on NBCSN.

The US Men's National Basketball Team went undefeated in Group A this year at the olympics with a 100-97 win over France Sunday afternoon. The game was fairly close the whole way but the US came out with the win. Klay Thompson torched the French shooting 7 of 13 from three and scoring 30 points. Kevin Durant also added 17 points and Kyrie Irving dishes out 12 assists and dropped 10 points. The US will enter bracket play but the schedule has yet to be released. I will post the bracket schedule on my Twitter account: @CAmesUpstate

On Friday night the USA Men's National Basketball Team survived a scare in Serbia escaping them by a score of 94-91. The US started the game on a 27-15 first quarter. The Serbians came within 4 with 1:18 left in the 4th quarter but they only scored 1 point the rest of the way and the US failed to score after that. Nikola Jokic led the Serbians with 25 points off the bench. Kyrie dropped 15 for the US. Durant, George, and Anthony all added 12. The US's final game is Sunday, August 14th at 6:00pm against France on NBCSN.

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By Camdyn Ames 

The USA Men's National Basketball Team survived a scary game against Australia Wednesday night. They were able to defeat the Australians 98-88 which is their closest game of the year. Carmelo Anthony came in the clutch hitting 4 of his 9 three pointers in the final 7:39 of the game. Melo dropped 31 points and grabbed 5 boards, Kyrie Irving had 19 points and Durant poured in 14. Patty Mills lead the way for the Aussies dropping 30 points, and Matthew Dellavedova added 11 points and dished out 11 assists. Team USA's next game will be Friday, August 12th against Serbia. The rest of Team USA's schedule is listed below.

8/12 vs Serbia

8/14 vs France

The US Men's National Basketball team captured its second win Monday night defeating Venezuela 113-69. The US got off to a slow start being tied at the end of the 1st quarter at 18. The Us finished off the 2nd quarter on a 28-6 run. Paul George led the Americans off the bench with 20 points, Jimmy Butler added 17 off the bench as well and Kevin Durant poured in 16 and dished out 5 assists. The US takes on Australia on Wednesday, August 10th at 6:00 pm on NBCSN. The remainder of the US's schedule is below.

8/10 vs Australia

8/12 vs Serbia

8/14 vs France

The US Men's National Basketball Team defeated China Saturday night 119-62 to collect their first win of the 2016 Olympics. The game got off to a slow start being tied at 4 halfway into the 1st quarter but that's when the US broke it open going on a 26-6 run to close out the quarter. Kevin Durant lead the US with 25 points and dishing out 6 assists while DeMarcus Cousins scored 17 points and grabbed 5 boards. Paul George also came off the bench to score 15 points. For the Chinese former NBA player Yi Jianlian led the way with 25 points and 6 rebounds. The rest of team USA's Men's basketball schedule is listed below.

8/8 vs Venezuela

8/10 vs Australia 

8/12 vs Serbia

8/14 vs France

Final: USA 1, Sweden 1 FT (Sweden 4-3 PKs)

         Goals: Stina Blackstenius 61’ (Sweden)

                   Alex Morgan 77’ (USA)

Shootout Results: Alex Morgan (Miss)

                           Kasovare Asllani 

                           Lindsey Horan

                           Linda Sembrant  (Miss)

                           Caroline Seger

                           Morgan Brian

                           Christen Press (Miss)

                           Lisa Dahlvist

                           (Sweden 4-3)

• According to ESPN Stats & Info USA vs. Sweden was the first Olympic women’s soccer game to go to penalty kicks.

• According to ESPN Stats & Info USA was winless in last 3 games vs. Sweden (0-1-2, all since Pia Sundhage became Swedens coach)

• The USWNT were looking to become the first team in history to win the World Cup and follow it up with a Olympic gold.

• The USWNT were ranked number 1 in the country and to lose in the knockout stage and not even at least play for a medal, it’s a major upset in my opinion. They had the better coach, players, etc.

Fouls: USA 4, Sweden 15

Yellow Cards: USA 1, Sweden 2

Red Cards: USA 0, Sweden 0

Offsides: USA 4, Sweden 5

Corner Kicks: USA 12, Sweden 3

Saves: USA 0, Sweden 4

Possession: USA 64%, Sweden 36%

                                                                                 Jared McCabe

Final: USA 2, Colombia 2 FT.

Goals: Catalina Usme 26’ (Col)

         Crystal Dunn 41’ (USA)

         Mallory Pugh 59’ (USA)

         Catalina Usme 90’ (2nd of game, Col)

• According to ESPN Stats & Info Crystal Dun with her 11th goal this year is tied with Carli Lloyd for 2nd most on the USWNT in 2016 (Alex Morgan first with 12)

• According to ESPN Stats & Info Mallory Pugh (age 18) youngest player in USWNT history to score at the Olympics.

• According to ESPN Stats & Info Columbia had been outscored 18-0 in the previous 5 meetings with the USA

Fouls: USA 15, Colombia 11

Yellow Cards: USA 1, Colombia 2

Redcards: USA 0, Colombia 0

Offsides: USA 4, Colombia 0

Corner Kicks: USA 11, Colombia 0

Saves: USA 0, Colombia 5

Possession: USA 65%, Colombia 35% 

USA wins Group G

United States: W: 2, D: 1, L:0 Pts: 7

France: W: 2, D:0, L: 1, Pts: 6

New Zealand: W: 1, D:0, 2L, Pts: 3

Colombia: W: 0, D:1, L:2 Pts: 1

Next Game: Aug 12th USA vs. TBD 

                           3:00pm on NBCSN

                                                                        Jared McCabe

Final: USA 1, France 0 FT.

Goals: Carli Lloyd 63’ (Second of the tournament)

• USA moves into first place in the group

• They will advance to quarters later today with New Zealand win or draw against Columbia

Fouls: USA 9, France 18

Yellow Cards: USA 1, France 1

Red Cards: USA 0, France 0

Offsides: USA 4, France 4

Corner Kicks: USA 3, France 8

Saves: USA 6, France 1

Possession: USA 55%, France 45%

Next Game: Aug 9th USA vs. Columbia

                                6:00pmET Ch. NBCSN

                                                                    Jared McCabe

Final: USA 2, New Zealand 0 FT

         Goals: Carli Lloyd 9’

                  Alex Morgan 46’

• According to ESPN Stats & Info Carli Lloyd scored her 7th career Olympic goal, 3 shy of breaking Abby Wambach’s US Olympic record. 

• According to ESPN Stats & Info Alex Morgan scores USA’s 2nd goal vs. New Zealand in the 46th minute; USA’s 60th Olympic goal (Most of all time)

Fouls: USA-10 New Zealand- 17

Yellow Cards: USA-0 New Zealand- 3

Red Cards: USA-0 New Zealand- 0

Offsides: USA-4 New Zealand- 2

Corner Kicks: USA-4 New Zealand-4

Saves: USA-0 New Zealand-2

Possession: USA 64% New Zealand 36%

Next Game: Aug 6th USA vs. France

                                4pm Ch.NBCSN

                                                                             Jared McCabe

Last summer the U.S. Women’s National Team won the World Cup in Canada over Japan 5-2 where Carli Lloyd had a hat trick and the U.S. never looked back. Since then they’ve been on a World Cup win high, having a parade, and having a victory tour. They’ve been prepping for the Olympics for months now and they are trying to become the 1st in history to win a World Cup and win gold in the Olympics back to back. First game is against New Zealand on 8/3 at 6:30pm ET on NBCSN

Roster:

Goal Keeper: (2) Hope Solo Alyssa Naecher

Defenders: (6) Whitey Engen, Julie Johnston, Meghan Klingenberg, Ali Krieger, Kelly O’Hara, Becky Sauerbrunn

 Midfielders: (6) Morgan Brian, Tobin Heath, Lindsey Horan, Carli Lloyd, Allie Long, Morgan Rapinoe

Forwards: (4) Crystal Dunn, Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Mallory Pugh.

Group G:

USA

New Zealand

France

Colombia

Schedule:

August 3: USWNT VS. NEW ZEALAND 6 p.m. on NBCSN

August 6: USWNT VS. FRANCE 4 p.m. on NBCSN

August 9: COLOMBIA VS. USWNT 6 p.m. on NBCSN

After 112 years, golf is finally back in the Olympics.. Golf was previously a part of the Olympics in 1900 and 1904, but it’s been out of the mix for more than a century.

For the United States 4 of the greatest golfers will suite up. That will include Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed and Matt Kuchar. Funny thing with Kuchar, he didn’t know that the Olympics were individual play.

Jordan Spieth will be watching from home, still wondering if he should have set aside his personal concerns and gone to Rio de Janeiro. Rory McIlroy said he won't be watching at all, citing the Zika virus and then taking a swipe at golf as an Olympic sport by saying he would watch "the sports that matter."

Tee times will be released later this week. The touranament starts Thursday August 11th on the Golf Channel.

For tee times, and other Olympic golf news. Stay with Upstate Sports Zone for continued coverage.

By Jake A. Martino