Indianapolis ? For the first time in three days, the U.S. team did not lose.

Former Kansas forward Paul Pierce and Jermaine O’Neal scored 15 points apiece as the United States defeated Puerto Rico, 84-74, on Friday night in a classification round game at the World Championships.

The U.S. team will play Spain for fifth place at 9:45 p.m. tonight.

Only about 1,000 people were in attendance, the latest disappointing crowd in a tournament that has been marked by tiny crowds in spacious venues. In their loss to Yugoslavia on Thursday night, the American fans were drowned out by their Yugoslav counterparts.

“We thought we’d be happy to have it in Indianapolis, but last night it looked like we were playing it in Belgrade,” said USA Basketball president Tom Jernstedt, who acknowledged that the event was grossly overpriced.

Ticket prices ranged from $10 to $58 for the first round, from $12 to $66 for the second round, from $24 to $110 for the quarterfinals, $65 to $135 for the semifinals and $95 to $190 for the gold medal game.

“We thought it would be comparable to an NBA Finals, an Olympics or an NCAA Final Four from a pricing standpoint. If we had to do it again, we would have changed the pricing structure,” Jernstedt said.

The U.S. team, already without Elton Brand (sore knee) and Shawn Marion (pulled groin), lost O’Neal to a turned ankle early in the fourth quarter.

The Americans trailed 25-19 after the first quarter, but took the lead for good on a 3-pointer by Baron Davis with 6:49 left in the second quarter.

Jerome Mincy hit a 3-pointer with 6:24 left in the fourth quarter to cut Puerto Rico’s deficit to five, 69-64, but Davis answered with a pair of 3s in an 8-0 run that put the U.S. team back in control.

In other classification round games, it was Russia 77, Angola 66; Turkey 94, China 86; and Spain 105, Brazil 89. Russia will play Turkey for ninth place and Angola will play China for 11th on Saturday morning.

Saturday afternoon’s semifinals are Yugoslavia-New Zealand and Germany-Argentina. The gold medal game is Sunday.

Friday was a day of soul-searching for the American basketball community..

“The only thing you can do now is apologize for not coming in and representing the game of basketball the way that you’re supposed to,” Antonio Davis said.

“There are no excuses, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t have gotten it done.

“Each and every guy is feeling as bad as we should.”

Before the losses, U.S. teams were 58-0 when using NBA players in international tournaments. The players and coaches on this team will now carry the stigma of being the first to lose.

The United States sent some very good players to this tournament, but it did not send its best. Jason Kidd and Ray Allen withdrew from the team, citing nagging injuries, and many others declined invitations to play. Among them were Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.

Shaquille O’Neal also was asked, although a foot injury would have prevented him from playing. He is scheduled to have surgery next week.

“The selection committee offered them an invitation and it’s their right to play or not play,” Michael Finley said simply.