Oct. 2, 2000

Lithuania bounced back from a heart-breaking semifinal defeat to beat Australia 89-71 on Sunday and take their third consecutive Olympic men's basketball bronze medal.

After a two-point loss to the U.S., Lithuania were expected to be emotionally drained. But forward Sialius Stombergas hit the opening basket seven seconds into the game to bring the bench to their feet and Lithuania never trailed for the rest of the game.

Former Maryland star Sarunas Jasikevicius, who netted a game-high 27 points and missed a buzzer-beater that would have beaten the U.S. in the semifinals, scores 22 points in the bronze medal game.

``We are proud that we did what we did because, when we left Lithuania, there were many sceptics who said that we wouldn't do well at these Games,'' said coach Jonas Kazlauskas.

Stombergas ended the game with 28 points hitting 12 of 17 shots from the field, including three three-pointers.

For Australia, the loss ends a disappointing Olympics where the team had been highly-touted to win the country's first-ever men's basketball medal.

The Aussies were also blown off the court by France -- losing by 24 points -- in the second semifinal.

``I feel lousy. We just lost the bronze medal game. That (winning a medal) is what the whole summer has been about for me and the whole crew. And to lose two games in a row like that is disappointing,'' said Australian centre Luc Longley who did not play due to a knee injury.