BASKETBALL
In thrilling fashion, the U.S. men rallied to beat experienced Argentina 80-79. The collegians, led by a late 3-pointer from Blake Stepp of Gonzaga and a basket by Rickey Paulding of Missouri, rallied from eight points down in the fourth quarter.

Cuba, which swept a three-game series against the U.S. women last month, beat the Americans 84-62, outscoring them 52-16 in the second half.

BOWLING

Two-time U.S. national amateur champion Bill Hoffman of Columbus, Ohio, averaged 227 for six games to help the United States lead after the men's doubles opening round. Hoffman and Scott Pohl, Eagan, Minn., combined for a 2,516 total to lead Canada by 70 pins.

Mexico's Adriana Perez Navarro and Illiana Lomeli Lemus dominated the field in women's doubles. They took a first-round lead of nearly 200 pins with a 2,528 total. The United States pair of Shannon Pluhowsky and Stacy Lynn Worth was fourth with 2,293. The doubles teams bowled six games Saturday and will bowl their final six on Sunday.

FENCING
Dan Kellner of Warren, N.J., edged training partner Jon Tiomkin of New York for the gold in men's foil, 15-13.

In women's saber, American sisters Sada and Emily Jacobson won gold and bronze, respectively. Sada beat Alejandra Benitez of Venezuela 15-4 for the title after Benitez defeated Emily 15-14 in the semifinals.

FIELD HOCKEY
The U.S. men tied Chile 0-0.

GYMNASTICS
The United States women won the team gold as Nastia Liukin, Plano, Texas, scored 37.474 in four events (uneven bars, floor exercise, balance beam, vault), the highest in the field. American teammate Chellsie Memmel, West Allis, Wis., had the second-highest score.

Cuba won the men's team event, followed by Brazil and the United States. David Durante of Garwood, N.J., led the U.S. team with 54.450 points.

HANDBALL
The United States outscored Puerto Rico 31-24 in their opener as Gary "Hang Time'' Hines of Atlanta scored 12 goals.

Brazil's strong women's team routed the United States 36-13 as Silvia Pinheiro had eight goals and Aline Rosas and Aline Silva each added seven.

SHOOTING
The first medals of the games were awarded in women's air rifle, with Cuba's Eglis Cruz taking the gold over Melissa Mulloy of Middleton, Mass.

Then the United States took gold and bronze in men's 10-meter pistol. Jason Turner of Rochester, N.Y., finished first, with John Bickar of Canton, Ohio, in third.

Mulloy and Turner clinched Athens Olympics berths for the United States.

WATER POLO
Two-time Olympian Wolf Wigo of New York scored on all three of his shots in the third quarter, keying a 24-0 rout of the host Dominicans. He finished with four goals.

WRESTLING
2000 Olympic Greco-Roman heavyweight champion Rulon Gardner won his first two bouts, both by 4-0 scores. Fellow Olympians Brandon Paulson, 2-0, and James Gruenwald, 1-0, were unbeaten.

The fourth U.S. Olympian, Kevin Bracken, split two matches.