HAVANA. Aug 7: After a rough opening weekend at the Pan American Games, the US men s and women s teams rebounded with easy victories Tuesday, reports Reuter

The men beat Venezuela 91-66 in a much easier game than their opening 92-88 win •wer Cuba. The women crushed Argentina 97-40 tn their first game since Brazil snapped their 42-game winning streak

tition.

The men (2-0) got off to another slow start against Venezuela (0-1). leading 43-37 at halftime.The second half was completely different as the United States dominated the boards and held a 20-point had for the last nine minutes

'Once again we had trouble getting started." coach Gene Keady said. "When we did ^t untracked we played weS. I guess we could be called lethargic The rebounding hurt

us early but we played well from the middle of the game

The United States finished with a 31-25 rebound advan tage. led by reserve Clarence Weatherspoon, who had 10. Including six on the offensive end.

The team is getting a better feel for international play." Keady said "Everybody contributed against another team that is very good "

Jim Jackson led the United States with 18 points, while Christian Laettner had 15 and five rebounds All 12 US play ers scored as the crowd got behind the visitors from the north.

The loudest cheer came when Adam Keefe dunked a behind - the back peas from Terry Dehere on a three -on-

"We thought the crowd would get bAnd us after we

Keefe, whose dunk gave the United States a 70-52 lead. They like the way we play. They recognise the good quality of basketball and (their support) built from the start "

Ivan Oltvares led Venezuela with 14 pointe, while Carl Herrera a Houston Rockets draft choice from the University of Houston, had 11 points and six rebounds.

The largest US lead was 91-62 with a minute remaining. The men play Argentina on Tuesday

The US women (2-1) clinched a berth in the medal round of their five-team competition. The US team, which allowed Argentina (0-2) just three field gait in the second half was led by Katrina McClain, who had 20 points and 10 rebounds

The US women led 52-30 at halftime and allowed field goals with 17:28 to play. 9:22 and 11 seconds left.