RUS/HUN – Brave Hungary fall to Russia in quarter-finals

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VIDNOJE (FIBA U21 World Championship for Women) - Hungary led for much of the game but Russia’s class lifted them to victory and into the semi-finals of the FIBA U21 World Championship for Women.

Playing at home, the Russians trailed by eight points in the second quarter but battled back and eventually claimed a 71-55 victory.

Russia will next face the winner of the United States’ quarter-final against Belgium.

Hungary could not have asked for a much better start after storming out to a 12-2 with 4:39 remaining in the first quarter.

By the end of the period, the Hungarians were still in command at 21-13 after a lay-up by Babara Semsei.

Russia started to find their rhythm and when star player Ekaterina Savelyeva buried a jump shot with 4:04 remaining in the first half, the tournament hosts trailed just 29-28.

Rita Kollo would nail a jump shot to make it 31-28, but Russia replied with an 8-0 run that was capped early in the second half with the home side holding a 36-31 lead.

Russia extended their lead to 11 (50-39) with 3:51 to go in the third, but Hungary stayed within striking distance.

Timea Czank’s first basket of the game, a jump with 1:06 to go in the third, pulled Hungary to 52-49.

But the Russians were not to be denied as they went on a 7-0 surge at the start of the final period to lead 59-49 and they marched to victory.

Ekaterina Lisina had 19 points, Savelyeva 16 and Elena Danilochkina 11 for the winners, while Andrea Somogyi led the Hungarians with 15.

Russia’s 48-31 hegemony on the boards helped their cause, as did Hungary’s two for 17 (11.7%) shooting from behind the arc.

FIBA