Team USA rallies to beat Argentina, 80-79
In a dramatic opener to the Pan American Games on Saturday, Team USA squeezed out a one-point victory, defeating tournament-favorite Argentina, 80-79.
After holding a six-point lead in the first quarter, the Americans (1-0) fell into a slump during the second and trailed by four at halftime. But with 5:37 remaining, Missouri's Rickey Paulding and Kentucky's Chuck Hayes sparked the Team USA comeback.
MSU head coach Tom Izzo is mentoring Team USA throughout the tournament and junior guard Chris Hill was named to the team late last month.
Hayes led Team USA with 17 points, and 6-foot-10 Argentinean center Roman Gonzalez led all scorers with 22. Hill played three minutes and was held scoreless.
Team USA plays Puerto Rico (1-0) this afternoon.
DeLamielleure named to NFL Hall of Fame
Former MSU All-American Joe DeLamielleure was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Sunday, relishing the recognition that some say was long-awaited.
"He's simply the best offensive lineman ever to come out of Michigan State," former MSU offensive line coach Joe Carruthers said in a statement. "The Spartans have produced some great ones, but none like Joe. And he was simply awesome as a pro."
A three-time letter winner from 1970-72, DeLamielleure, 52, played 13 seasons in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns before retiring in 1985.
After going years unnoticed by Hall of Fame voters, a football researcher discovered DeLamielleure was the NFL's third most accomplished offensive lineman in terms of awards received. As a result, he finally caught the eye of Hall of Fame voters.
DeLamielleure was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame earlier this year.
"It's no surprise to see Joe DeLamielleure elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame," Carruthers said. "I'm surprised it took so long for him to get there."
Volleyball projected third in preseason poll
In a preseason coaches poll released on Friday, the MSU volleyball team was chosen to finish third in the 2003 Big Ten conference. The Spartans were placed behind defending champion Minnesota and Penn State.
The team will welcome back five starters and 11 letter winners in what hopes to be a strong season. The Spartans finished 21-12 overall and 11-9 in the Big Ten last season.
Senior middle hitter Jenny Rood also was selected for a spot on the Preseason All-Big Ten team. In the 2002 season, Rood lead the Spartans with 3.76 kills per game and had a career-high 25 kills at Illinois in November 2002.
The Spartans open the 2003 season at the Maryland Invitational on Aug. 29-30. The Big Ten season begins Sept. 26 against Penn State.
Sarah McEvilly
