His 3-pointers may not be dropping yet, but Robbie Hummel is still finding a way to contribute for the United States.

Just like back home.

The Valparaiso High School graduate and Purdue junior scored off a rebound of Deon Thompson's missed free throw with 38 seconds left to put the U.S. up one, and the Americans went on to top Russia 67-63 on Monday at the Serbia International Invitational in Belgrade.

"They weren't boxing me out real well and I was able to get in there," Hummel said via cell phone. "I shot well from two (3 of 5), but I was still 0-for-3 from 3. I was a little long. I'm still trying to figure it out."

Only 1-for-9 from the field with three points in two prior games, Hummel scored eight points to go with five rebounds and two steals in 20 minutes. The U.S. finished 2-1 in the invitational, escaping Canada in overtime prior to a 98-82 loss on Sunday to the host Serbians.

"This was a good tune-up for us," Hummel said. "None of us have played with each other, so we've been trying to figure out how to play as a team. We're starting to come together. After the long flight, it was hard to get used to things and get our legs back under us."

The U.S. begins World University Games pool play Friday against Finland. It faces South Korea on Saturday with the medal round set to start Monday.

"It's a lot different game here," Hummel said. "They run a lot of pick and roll. They're very disciplined, very skilled. They pressure well. When they get a turnover, it goes back the other way fast. They do that 'Euro step' and when the ball comes off the rim, they go up and swipe it. They call a different game, too, and it's been difficult to try to adjust."

With a slight break in the schedule, the team will do some touring today. Hummel also plans to hook up with former Purdue teammate Nemanja Calasan, who lives 15 minutes away.

"I don't know a lot about the country," Hummel said. "All I know is (NATO, headed by the U.S.) bombed (the Chinese embassy) 10 years ago. From what I've heard, Belgrade is a great city. I'm looking forward to seeing what it's like."

The team is staying at an Olympic athletes village in New Belgrade with "more security than the White House," according to Hummel. The food wasn't very good the first few days, he said, prompting players to head to a nearby McDonald's, but the menu issues have been resolved. Hummel doesn't Twitter and his dad Glenn warned him not to use his cell phone because of the international rates, so he's been staying in touch by way of Facebook.

"I've got to get a calling card or something," he said.

When the U.S. hits the court again, it'll be carrying a long tradition of success. The red, white and blue has won 13 gold medals in its 18 World University Games appearances.

"There's definitely pressure to win," Hummel said. "You're representing yourself, your school, the U.S. There are some very good teams here. It's going to be tough to beat Serbia. If we play them again, it'll be in the big arena, and they say it gets pretty rowdy when they get 22,000 people in that place, like going to Michigan State. After a little rest, we should feel pretty good and be ready to hopefully make a run at a gold medal."