A team of Big 12 Conference all-stars, including ISU junior guard Anne O’Neil, faced a tough challenge in traveling to the World University Games in Daegu, South Korea this August.

O’Neil said players came into the tournament knowing that the teams they were to face would probably have the upper-hand based on different rules and a faster-paced game at the international level.

“International rules are a lot different than in college,” O’Neil said.

“The game is much more fast-paced, with a 24-second shot clock and an 8-second backcourt clock. There were times when we would be caught off-guard by a full-court press and not be able to get the ball over in time.”

Team USA, which was coached by ISU head coach Bill Fennelly, ISU assistant Latoja Harris and Missouri coach Cindy Stein, finished the tournament 3-4 after losing the fifth-place game to Serbia-Montenegro 72-70, the team’s second close loss to Serbia-Montenegro in the tournament. Team USA’s other losses came at the hands of China and Italy.

O’Neil said she gained more than just experience from the trip to Korea.

“It may sound cheesy, but going to Korea really gave me a greater appreciation for being back in the U.S. and getting back to work with my team” she said.

“Seeing teams like China and Italy work so well together made me want to get right back to practice with Iowa State so we can find that level of excellence.”

Returning from Korea without a gold medal in the World University Games was disappointing for Team USA. In China and Italy, for example, players often play together on the national team for numerous years.

Those two teams faced off in the gold medal match, with China edging out Italy 81-78. The U.S. team managed a sixth-place finish.

“I was able to get some good work in on my game, and it also gave me a greater perspective on women’s basketball outside the college and the WNBA,” O’Neil said.

Having Fennelly and Harris along for the trip only added to the experience, O’Neil said.

“It was great to have Coach Fennelly there in Korea,” she said.

“It was like having a season before the season.”

The World University Games were founded in 1923 and first took place in Paris, France.

Fifty-four nations participated this year. Izmir, Turkey will host the 2005 games.