POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Aaryn Ellenberg-Wiley
Group A
Russia - Sweden 74:68
Russia finished their World University Games preliminary round campaign on a high note. They knocked down Sweden to win Group A. Anastasiya Shilova (186-G/F-91) nailed 16 points to lead the charge.
Russia accounted for an 18:13 lead after the starting quarter. Sweden denied the deficit in the second period. The Scandinavian team knotted things up at 33 after twenty minutes of action. Sweden pulled ahead in the third quarter. The visitors silenced the crowd with a 22:19 run in the period. But Russia went on a 22:13 run in the fourth stanza to snatch the victory at the end. Anastasia Logunova (192-C-90) chipped in 14 points for the hosts. Tatiana Grigoryeva (179-F-90, agency: IPSA) added 13 points for the winners. Danielle Hamilton-Carter (190-F-90, college: Fayetteville St.), Binta Drammeh (180-F-92) and Kalis Loyd (188-G-89) responded with 15 points each for Sweden.
Russia: Anastasiya Shilova 16, Anastasia Logunova 14, Tatiana Grigoryeva 13
Sweden: Danielle Hamilton-Carter 15, Binta Drammeh 15, Kalis Loyd 15
Poland - Mongolia 117:44
Poland recorded the first win at the World University Games in Kazan. They fired past Mongolia to improve at 1-2 record in Group A. Eight players scored in double figures for Poland. Martyna Stelmach (188-F/C-92) nailed 18 points and grabbed 8 rebounds to pace the winners.
It was a one-way traffic right from the start. The European team unloaded 36 points in the starting quarter to take a 28-point lead. Mongolia slowed down Poland a bit in the second frame but not for too long. Poland erupted for 32 points in the third quarter and entered the final frame up by 58 points. Poland nailed 31 points in the final stanza and sealed the win at the end. Roksana Schmidt (180-SG-92) netted 15 points, while Agnieszka Sniezek (176-G-91) added 13 points in the winning case. Dolgor Ichinkhorloo responded with 11 points for Mongolia. Jargalan Dugarsuren had 7 points in the losing case.
Poland: Martyna Stelmach 18, Roksana Schmidt 15, Agnieszka Sniezek 13
Mongolia: Dolgor Ichinkhorloo 11, Jargalan Dugarsuren 7
Group B
USA - Brazil 105:75
USA claimed the third straight win at the University Games. They knocked down Brazil to win Group B. USA will now face Sweden in the quarterfinal clash on Friday. Brazil slipped at 1-2 record and would play in the classification round.
The USA exploded with 36 points in the first period to gain a 20-point lead. They slowed down a bit in the second frame but still gained a 24-point halftime advantage. The USA kept their opponents at bay throughout the third term. The North American team recorded an 82:51 advantage at the final intermission. Brazil outscored their opponents in the final frame but just sweetened the pill at the end. Aaryn Ellenberg (170-G-92) produced 19 points for the USA. Crystal Bradford (183-G-93) added 12 points for the winners. Leila Zabani (181-G/F-91) responded with 18 points for Brazil. Ariane Silva had 16 points in the losing case.
USA: Aaryn Ellenberg 19, Crystal Bradford 12, Jordan Hooper (188-F-92) 11, Kaleena Lewis (183-F-93) 11
Brazil: Leila Zabani 18, Ariane Silva 16
Czech Republic - Mali 59:44
Czech Republic will play at the quarterfinal stage of 2013 World University Games. They knocked down Mali to improve at 2-1 record in Group B. Petra Zaplatova (175-G/F-91) dropped 12 points for the winning side.
The teams finished the first period tied at 11-all. Czech Republic put their noses in front in the second quarter. They stole a 28:23 advantage at halftime. Czech Republic held their African opponents to just 6 points in the third frame to ensure an 11-point cushion before the fourth period. Czech Republic did not allow Mali anywhere near the striking distance and rushed to the victory. Alena Hanusova (19-C-91) and Barbora Kasparkova (185-F/C-92) netted 8 points each for the winners. Aminata Mariko (185-C-90) answered with 18 points and 12 rebounds for Mali. Farima Toure (184-C-93) and Awa Diallo (192-C-92) chipped in 9 points each in the loss.
Czech Republic: Petra Zaplatova 12, Alena Hanusova 8, Barbora Kasparkova 8
Mali: Aminata Mariko 18+12 boards, Farima Toure 9, Awa Diallo 9
Group C
Japan - Ukraine 68:66
Japan claimed a hard-fought narrow win over Ukraine in the final game of the preliminary round at the World University Games. Japan and Ukraine finished Group C action at 1-2 record and failed to qualify for quarterfinals. They will now play in the classification round.
Japan claimed an 18:15 lead after ten minutes of action. Ukraine cut the deficit in the second period. They got within one point at halftime 29:30. Ukraine pulled ahead in the third term. They snatched a 38:37 advantage heading into the fourth period. Japan however fired 21 points in the final stanza and snatched a narrow victory. Mio Shinozaki (166-PG-91) exploded with 28 points for Japan. Nao Sonoda (178-F-89) and Minami Iju (168-G-90) had 11 points each for the winners. Olena Samburska (172-G/F-89, agency: LBM Management) responded with 19 points for Ukraine. Olesia Malashenko (191-PF-91, agency: LBM Management) tallied 14 points and 12 boards in the loss.
Japan: Mio Shinozaki 28, Nao Sonoda 11, Minami Iju 11
Ukraine: Olena Samburska 19, Olesia Malashenko 14+12 boards
Taiwan - Canada 72:67
Taiwan finished their World University Games preliminary round campaign with a perfect record. They shot down Canada to clinch the top position at 3-0 record. Huang Ping-Jen (178-F-89) nailed 20 points and 9 rebounds to lead the winning side.
Taiwan silenced their opponents in the first half. The Asian team raced to a 21:11 lead after ten minutes. Taiwan maintained the lead throughout the second period. They accumulated a 39:20 halftime advantage. Taiwan boosted the gap at 28-point mark midway through the third term. But the North American side strongly finished the quarter and narrowed the gap at 17-point mark. Canada ignited a comeback run in the fourth stanza. They got within four points late in the regulation but simply ran out of time at the end. Ying-Li Huang produced 12 points, while Hsu Chien-Hui (171-G/F-89) had 10 points in the victory. Rachelle Coward (183-F-90) answered with 13 points for Canada. Miah-Marie Langlois (176-PG-91) and Korissa Williams (177-G-92) dropped 12 points apiece in the loss.
Taiwan: Huang Ping-Jen 20, Ying-Li Huang 12, Hsu Chien-Hui 10
Canada: Rachelle Coward 13, Miah-Marie Langlois 12, Korissa Williams 12
Group D
Australia - Finland 95:46
Australia kept their record clean at the World University Games in Russia. They shot down Finland to enter the quarterfinal stage from the top position in Group D. The Aussies will face Canada in the quarterfinals. Finland suffered the third straight defeat at the tournament.
Australia limited their opponents to 6 points in the opening quarter. They enjoyed a 13-point lead after ten minutes. Australia boosted the lead in the second frame. They accumulated a 42:14 halftime buffer. Australia kept Finland at safe distance throughout the third term. The European team faced a 35-point deficit heading into the fourth period and never recovered. Alice Kunek (187-G/F-91) notched 26 points for Australia. Tess Magden (90) added 18 points for the winning side. Noora Jarvikangas (182-SF-94) answered with 10 points for Finland. Anni Makitalo (175-F-91) had 9 points in the loss.
Australia: Alice Kunek 26, Tess Magden 18, Olivia Thompson (185-F-93) 12, Stephanie Cumming (178-G-90) 12
Finland: Noora Jarvikangas 10, Anni Makitalo 9
Hungary - China 80:67
Hungary registered a crucial win on the final day of preliminary action at the University Games in Kazan. They shot down China to clinch the second position in Group D. Hungary thus punched the quarterfinal ticket. They will now face Taiwan in the playoffs.
China led by one after the starting quarter 24:23. The teams slowed down in the second frame. They teamed up for 24 points in the quarter as China remained in front 36:35. But the European side surged ahead in the third term. Hungary eked out a 56:52 advantage at the final break. Hungary exploded with a 24:15 run in the fourth quarter to seal the win at the end. Zsofia Varga (182-F-89) knocked down 22 points for Hungary. Reka Balint (182-SF-91) netted 21 points in the winning effort. Shao Ting (183-F-89) responded with 31 points and 11 boards for China. Wang Miqi (185-F-89) had 10 points in the loss.
Hungary: Zsofia Varga 22, Reka Balint 21, Tijana Krivacevic (194-F-90) 16
China: Shao Ting 31+11 boards, Wang Miqi 10
