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BRATISLAVA (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - Two scoring bursts in the second and fourth quarters helped Australia to a 70-55 win over Canada in the eighth-finals of the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women.

Canada had dragged themselves back into the game at 54-49 midway into the final quarter after a 12-0 blitz had put the Aussies well in control before the interval.

But the Australians tallied 14 unanswered points in the closing moments to put the game beyond any doubt.

The Canadians were made to pay for their profligacy from inside the arc as they made just 10 of 46 (21.7%) of their two-pointers compared to their opponents’ 26 of 56 (46.4%).

Cayla Francis was the star of the show for Australia with 16 points and 10 rebounds, although Kendel Ross was unlucky to be on the losing side after pouring in 10 points and pulling down 12 rebounds.

The game was slow to get going and saw a three-minute spell in the first quarter where there was no scoring.

Australia took the lead for the first time with seven minutes played but the scores were locked at 13-13 at the end of the period.

Things stayed nip and tuck until halfway through the second quarter when Australia netted a dozen points without reply on the way to a nine-point half-time lead.

A Ross three-pointer later narrowed that to an attainable five-point deficit with 05:03 left on the game clock, but a second scoring burst by the Gems finished Canada off.

"It was a very physical game tonight," Australia head coach Dean Kinsman said.

"We had control of the game but it took us three and a bit quarters to really break it open."

"The way the girls maintained their composure is very pleasing.

 "Everyone played really well and did their jobs. These girls are a sensational group.
 
"Now it is time for us to lift to another gear as we move further into the tournament."

David Broome
FIBA