Finally getting his chance to shine on the international stage, 'Iolani School graduate Derrick Low scored 13 points, grabbed two rebounds, made one steal and had an assist yesterday to help the United States defeat Argentina, 74-71, in the Pan American Games at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

It was the USA's first victory in the Games, after losses to Uruguay and Panama on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Argentina (2-1) already had qualified for the medal round, while the USA is left to play in a consolation semifinal game at 10:15 a.m. Hawai'i time today against the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Low, a 6-foot-1 senior guard from Washington State University, did not play Wednesday and saw only 73 seconds of "mop-up" action on Thursday, but he was in the starting lineup yesterday and made an immediate impact.

He swished two 3-pointers in the first six minutes to help the USA jump out to an 18-9 lead.

"I knew that as soon as I got a chance to play, I could do some stuff," Low told The Advertiser in a phone interview last night. "I had a lot of saved energy."

Argentina then went on a 26-8 run to go up, 35-26, before Low swished another 3-pointer and then banked in a short runner down the lane to cut it to 35-31 with 2:47 remaining in the half.

Argentina led, 40-38, at intermission.

But unlike Thursday, when the USA was blitzed by Panama in the second half, this time the Americans came out strong in the third period and held off several late challenges by Argentina.

Low scored on a layup and made a nifty fast-break assist to help the USA take the lead back at 46-42, but then was whistled for his fourth foul with 7:07 left in the third period and sat out the rest of the quarter.

He came back to start the fourth period and helped the USA hold on for the victory. Argentina closed it to 73-71 on a layup by Prato Patricio with 1:03 remaining, but Joey Dorsey sank a free throw with 20 seconds left to give the USA a 74-71 lead and Argentina airballed a desperation 3-pointer from about 30 feet as time expired.

"This game was a little different," Low said. "We played with more energy and more passion."

The USA's D.J. White led all scorers with 22 points. Low finished 5 of 7 from the field, including 3 of 4 from 3-point range. But the key statistic was his 28 minutes played, compared to a combined 1:13 in the previous two games.

"Getting Derrick Low in there, he's kept a great attitude not getting a lot of playing time, he was awesome," USA coach Jay Wright was quoted as saying on the USA Basketball Web site. "He started with great confidence."

Low said he tried to stay patient the first two nights, and was rewarded when Wright announced yesterday's starting lineup after going over the scouting report on Argentina.

"It feels good," Low said. "It's always hard to sit on the bench, especially when you're watching and the team is losing, because you want to do something to help the team win. But I just had to go with the game plan, and I felt confident in Coach Wright to make the right decisions.

"I just had to wait my turn."

KAYAKING

BUSSEY, ABBOTT PART OF SIXTH-PLACE CREW

Kailua's Andy Bussey and Honolulu's Eric Abbott were part of the U.S. crew that finished sixth with a time of 3:09.97 in the men's K-4 1000 meter kayak race.

Danny Ching, of Redondo Beach, Calif. and Bartosz Wolski, of New Britain, Conn., were the other members of the crew.

Bussey also finished seventh in the men's K-1 1000 meter race in a time of 3:52.25. Canada's Angus Mortimer won in 3:39.51.

"My race wasn't the best," Bussey said. "But I think our K-4 did a pretty good job. The two young guys (Abbott and Ching) did an awesome job. That was a good race, especially when the crowd got involved. They were so excited and loud. It was pretty fun to be out there. This is such an incredible venue to race — you can see the Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugar Loaf Mountain ... it's just awesome."

VOLLEYBALL

EX-UH PLAYER THOMAS HAS 10 KILLS IN VICTORY

Former University of Hawai'i volleyball player Delano Thomas had 10 kills and three aces to help the United States in a 25-23, 25-17, 24-26, 25-23 victory over Cuba yesterday to advance to the men's volleyball title match.

Thomas, a middle blocker, had three of the four U.S. aces.

The United States today will face Brazil, a 3-0 winner over Venezuela in the other semifinal.

Brook Billings led the U.S. scoring with 14 kills and two blocks.