Read the Haaretz.com account here!

Read the Jerusalem Post account here!

RA'ANANA, Istrael - The United States Open Men's basketball team, including Penn sophomore Zack Rosen, captured the gold medal at the Maccabiah Games with a 95-86 overtime win against host Israel Tuesday night. The 18th version of the Maccabiah Games, also known as the "Jewish Olympics," took place July 12-23 in Israel.

It was a significant win for the U.S. team, which had just a little more than a week of preparation in Philadelphia before heading to Israel for the competition. By comparison, the Israeli team they defeated in the final was that country's under-24 unit and is expected to represent the country in qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.

Rosen finished the game with six points, four rebounds and four assists. However, he came up with half of his points and two of his assists in the extra session when the U.S. jumped out with a 10-2 run to establish control.

The U.S. team looked like it was on the ropes near the end of regulation, down eight with three minutes left. However, the Stars and Stripes scored 10 of the last 12 points to tie things up and send it to overtime.

Following the victory, Rosen was quoted on Haaretz.com.

"I love this country, and I spent a lot of time with the guys who have played here and they love it," he said. "I'm Jewish, so I have pride in that and I have pride that I'm a Jewish player, and where else to play but in the homeland?"

The United States was coached by Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl, with former Penn assistant coach and current La Salle assistant Harris Adler as an assistant coach. The team had advanced to the title game after going 3-1 in group play and defeating Canada in the semifinal round.