FIBA Basketball

    BLR/TPE – Belarus advance to quarter-finals with win over Chinese Taipei

    MADRID (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) – Chinese Taipei made things awkward, but Belarus prevailed 81-65 to progress to the quarter-finals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women. Upset by Cuba in their first Group D game, Belarus had to win on Wednesday to avoid elimination. Chinese Taipei, who led Cuba in the second half ...

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    MADRID (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) – Chinese Taipei made things awkward, but Belarus prevailed 81-65 to progress to the quarter-finals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women.

    Upset by Cuba in their first Group D game, Belarus had to win on Wednesday to avoid elimination.

    Chinese Taipei, who led Cuba in the second half before running out of steam, hit back from an early 7-2 deficit to lead 14-10.

    A jump shot in the lane by Volha Padabed sparked an 8-2 run for Belarus and put them on top for good although they did not pull away.

    A jumper by Lin Chi-Wen with 7:24 to play cut the Belarus advantage to 57-52.

    They would get no closer.

    Belarus out-rebounded Chinese Taipei 50-30.

    The winners got 13 points apiece from Olga Masilionene, Yelena Leuchanka and Tatyana Troina.

    A win against Brazil on Friday in the quarter-finals will give the Belarus women a spot in the Olympics for the first time.

    FIBA