RUS/FRA – French edge out Russia for first win

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RODEZ (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - France just about held on to beat Russia 56-53 and clinch their first win at the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women.

A loss would have all but eliminated France from the tournament, but instead they are still in with a chance of reaching the quarter-finals.

The hosts led for most of the game, but the Russians were never far behind and took a 53-52 lead on Ksenia Tikhonenko’s basket with 2:28 left to play.

However, the visitors then had defensive lapses and committed questionable fouls which allowed France to edge back in front and hold out until the final buzzer.

France led 13-10 at the end of the first quarter and 28-24 at the break. The Russians erased the deficit in the second half thanks to timely three-point shots, but their mistakes down the stretch cost them.

Zainabe Diallo had 14 points and Olivia Epoupa added 13 to go along with seven rebounds.

Quotes

Arnaud Guppillotte (France head coach): This game came with a lot of pressure to hope to continue the competition. It was a tough game yesterday and we lost, it was a tough game today and we won. It's a very an uncertain competition. We had a lot of pressure to play in front of French crowd in a very decisive game. A campaign can be extended or finished based on small things, details. I think the pressure helped the players to win. The tougher it is, the better they are.

Ana Arkhipova von Calmamovich (Russian head coach): It was a tough game and a good experience to fight in an amazing atmosphere with this pressure. Thanks France, it's a really great game.

FIBA/LOC