ARG/FRA –Argentine panache catches France off-guard

BANGKOK (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - Argentina recorded a pulsating 60-58 win against the better fancied France in Group A on Saturday.

Both the teams had already made it through to the eight-final round, but Argentina’s win will give them the edge of carrying forward an additional win.

Agostina Burani led the scoring for Argentina with 13 points and pulled down six rebounds.

Debora Gonzalez chipped in with 11 points as Omelia Santana and Andrea Boquete contributed 10 points apiece.

Allison Vernerey was back in form for France with a team-high 12 points and nine rebounds.

Burani effected a three-point play and Nayla Kraft converted one of the two free-throws to help Argentina close the first quarter 17-15 ahead.

France managed to pull back and went ahead 25-23 midway through the second quarter when Alexia Plagnard scored in the lane to follow Andja Konteh’s successes from the foul-line.

That was the last France were in lead.

Argentina recaptured the lead thanks to crisp drive-ins by Boquete and Melisa Pavicich and never trailed again.

The South Americans led by as many as 11 points midway through the fourth quarter before warding off a late rearguard action by France.

FIBA