Former 'Iolani School standout Derrick Low scored a team-high 16 points as the U.S. men's basketball team rallied past Panama, 77-74, yesterday to clinch fifth place at the Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Low, who will be a senior at Washington State, shot 7 of 13 from the field and added three rebounds, an assist and a steal in 33 minutes of playing time. Low did not play in Team USA's first game, and logged a little more than a minute in the second — both losses. He started the last three games, leading the U.S. to three straight victories.

"Derrick Low came up huge," said Team USA head coach Jay Wright. "Derrick really became a leader of this team on the floor. I'm so happy for him. I think he learned a great life lesson.

"He didn't play a lot early, but when he got his opportunity he took advantage of it and was ready to go. Then he took it to another level by being a leader on the floor for us, making all the big plays. He actually got a big rebound, too, at the end, the smallest guy on the floor, to seal the win."

Shan Foster (Vanderbilt) and D.J. White (Indiana) each finished with 14 points for Team USA, which fell behind 49-36 early in the third quarter. Maarty Leunen (Oregon) scored 10 of his 12 points in the quarter as the U.S. closed to 56-54 after three.

Low then took control in the fourth quarter, scoring the first six points to give the U.S. a 60-56 lead.

"I just try and be aggressive during that time in the game," Low said. "Point guards have to take on the leadership and you gotta do whatever you gotta do to win. I thought I had a pretty good rhythm because I had a little advantage over the opponent guarding me and I just tried to use that and make plays and fortunately I did."

The teams traded baskets and with 1:34 to go Panama owned a 71-70 lead.

Low then beat his defender with a drive that put the U.S. ahead to stay at 72-71 with 1:13 to play. On Team USA's next possession, Low did it again and was fouled on the basket that made it 74-71. Low missed the ensuing free throw and Panama hurried down court but missed a 3-pointer, and Low came up with the rebound.

A free throw by White and two by Leunen allowed the U.S. to hold on down the stretch.

"Panama has some good players and they're going to get theirs," Low said. "We eventually had to keep on fighting, just keep on fighting, and keep on trying to rebound and defend. As good of players as they are, I was sure they're not going to make shots like they did all game long. We just stuck together and beat them as a team, beat them together."

Low said he enjoyed the experience of playing in the Pan Am Games.

"There was good competition and it was pretty fun being able to play with a bunch of guys that got together a couple of weeks ago," he said. "It's not only about basketball, I had fun getting to know these guys and developing a relationship with them."

Brazil beat Puerto Rico, 86-65, to win its third straight title and fifth overall. Joao Paulo Batista led all scorers with 20 points and teammate Marcelinho added 17. Marcelinho, a member of Brazil's winning squad in 1999 and 2003, became the only player with three basketball golds in the history of the games.

Uruguay won bronze by beating Argentina, 99-93, behind 24 points from Fernando Martinez.

MARATHON

Brazilian Franck Caldeira took the lead in the final two miles to win the marathon. Caldeira charged past Guatemala's Amado Garcia to win in 2 hours, 14 minutes, 3 seconds. Garcia crossed the finish line 24 seconds behind, and Mexico's Procopio Franco was third at 2:15:18.

TENNIS

Top-seeded Flavio Saretta of Brazil won the men's tennis gold with a 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (2) victory over Chile's Adrian Garcia, the second seed. The doubles gold went to Eduardo Schwank and Horacio Zeballos of Argentina, who beat AdriDan Garcia and Jorge Aguilar of Chile, 6-3, 6-4.

CLOSING CEREMONY

U.S. softball outfielder Laura Berg, a three-time Olympian and Pan American Games participant, was chosen to carry the U.S. flag at the closing ceremony. Berg, of Sante Fe Springs, Calif., won gold at all three Pan Ams and all three Olympics.

"It's an honor to be able to carry our flag and lead the team at closing ceremonies," Berg said. "Overall it has been a good trip here in Brazil. The people have been great and we appreciate their hospitality."

www.usabasketball.com contributed to this report.