BELGRADE, Serbia — Former Troy University women’s basketball player Amy Lewis and current Trojan, Alyce Shearing, are returning back to their native country with a bronze medal around their neck after an 88-77 victory over the Czech Republic in the 25th annual World University Games.

Playing at Belgrade Arena, the Australians jumped out to an early 26-21 lead at the end of the first quarter, only to watch the Czech Republic trim the advantage to just three at the half 39-36.

However, the Australians (the 2008 gold medalists) outran the Czech Republic in the third quarter en route to the victory.

In the bronze medal game, Lewis was held scoreless for the first time in the tournament but managed to pull down seven rebounds – including four in the victory.

She also dished out four assists and recorded a steal.

Meanwhile, Shearing continued her role play in the game by grabbing a defensive rebound in the victory.

For the tournament, Lewis averaged 12.3 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in a starting role for the Australian national team.

Meanwhile, Shearing averaged 0.5 points and 2.3 rebounds per game in a reserve role.

Lewis scored a tournament-high 20 points against the Russian Federation in the final pool game of the tournament for the Australians, a loss that put them against the United States in the semifinals as the fourth seed.

In the game against the Americans, Lewis scored 19 points in the loss. Shearing grabbed a tournament-high four rebounds in two preliminary round games for the Australians.

With the conclusion of the World University Games, Lewis returns to her native country to resume her professional career; while Shearing will return to Troy to lead the Trojans in the 2009-10 season.

The Trojans are coming off their best season in the Sun Belt with a second place finish in the East Division in 2008-09.