SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) – The U.S. women did what the men couldn’t on the basketball court at the Pan American Games.

By beating Brazil 75-69 in overtime, the Americans guaranteed themselves a basketball medal. They will play the winner of Friday night’s other semifinal between Cuba and Canada.

The American men fell to Brazil in the semifinals and then lost the bronze medal to Puerto Rico – the first time since 1971 that the United States did not medal in the sport.

The Americans were credited for one extra point in the first period – meaning Brazil should have won in regulation.

Brazil’s coaches approached the scoring table after the period, but didn’t win the discussion.

Stanford’s Nicole Powell scored seven of her 17 points in overtime as the Americans overcame a big height disadvantage.

Earlier, Cael Sanderson, a four-time All-American who went through his entire stay at Iowa State without losing, was beaten 3-2 in overtime by Cuba’s Yoel Romero.

It was the second time this year Romero, the world silver medalist and 1999 world champion, beat Sanderson.

This one had some controversy, too.

Although he controlled the action, Sanderson trailed 2-1 heading into overtime; a wrestler must have at least three points to win. In overtime, Sanderson broke a hold by Romero to tie it.

Moments later, during an attack by Sanderson, both wrestlers wound up off the edge of the mat and the mat officials called for no scoring.

But international federation officials called for a look at instant replay. After a lengthy delay, they judged that Sanderson barely exposed his back in the scramble, giving Romero the third point he needed to win.

“I think it was so close,” U.S. coach Zeke Jones said. “I don’t think the call is right because I don’t think he exposed.”

Sanderson will wrestle for a bronze medal.

Five Americans earned spots in the finals: Stephen Abas (Fresno, Calif.) at 121 pounds; Jamill Kelly (Stillwater, Okla. at 1451/2; Joe Williams (Coralville, Iowa) at 163; Daniel Cormier (Stillwater, Okla.) at 2111/2; and Kerry McCoy (Bethlehem, Pa.) at 2641/2.

“Our guys wrestled with a lot of spirit and heart,” Jones said. “We had a couple of matches that we dropped that were winnable. It’s just that sometimes things aren’t always in your control.”

The United States collected two more medals by its superb shooting team. William Johnson II (Woodville, Miss.), won gold and an Olympic berth for the country in the 10-meter running target event, leading throughout. Armando Ayala (Columbus, Ga.) won the bronze.

Sandra Uptagrafft (Longmont, Colo.) beat Cuban Margarita Tarradell in a shootoff for the gold medal and Olympic spot in the 25-meter pistol. It was her first significant international victory.

“It means so much to me and my team,” she said. “Theere was a lot of pressure on me, but I pulled through and accomplished my goal.”

High school sensation Allyson Felix of Los Angeles went for gold in the women’s 200 dash in a busy night for track and field. Nine finals were scheduled in the evening.

Earlier, German Sanchez of Mexico claimed gold in the 50-kilometer walk. Phillip Dunn (Chula Vista, Calif.) was fifth.

Canada’s dominance in diving was further emphasized when it won the women’s 3-meter and the men’s synchronized platform events. Canada has won every diving event thus far.

Alexandre Despatie won his third gold by teaming with Philippe Comtois in the platform event. Mexico was second and the U.S. duo of Mark Ruiz and Kyle Prandi got the bronze. Despatie won the 3-meter synchro with Comtois and the springboard individual competition.

Emilie Heymans didn’t win her third gold, falling to countrywoman Blythe Hartle in the 3-meter springboard event. But Heymans earned a silver.

Carly Gullickson, at 16 the youngest American ever to compete in Pan Ams tennis, lost in the quarterfinals to Milagros Sequera of Venezuela, 6-3, 6-4.

AP-ES-08-08-03 1929EDT