THA - Hurst leads Aussie women past Canada

BANGKOK (World University Games) - Australia defeated Commonwealth rivals Canada 66-53 to go top of Group E in the women`s second round group phase.

Natalie Hurst netted 20 points for Australia, while Samantha Richards netted 16 and Jess Foley got 14. Natalie Doma replied with 13 points for Canada.

Gulcin Cantekin claimed 18 points for Turkey, but they fell to a 57-56 defeat to Poland in Group E. Izabela Piekarska top-scored with 12 for the victors.

Charothai Suksomwong`s 25 points was not enough as hosts Thailand fell to a 74-63 loss to Latvia. Anita Teilane got 21 points for Lativa who top Group G alongside China.

China defeated Serbia in dramatic fashion, edging the final quarter and the match by a single point to triumph 69-68. Jing Huang led China with 25 points, while Dara Kovacevic claimed 20 for Serbia.

The USA suffered their second defeat of the phase. Czech Republic won the final period by six points to earn a 79-76 victory. Wendy Stywalt claimed 20 points for USA, but her exploits were surpassed by Veronika Vlkova, who got 21.

Chinese Taipei defeated Russia 64-60, with Pei-chen Tsai hitting a game-high 17 points. Wan-ting Li added 13 points and five assists, while Evgenia Belyakova top-scored for Russia with 16.

Japan and Mozambique are top of Group H after each won their opening games of the second phase.

Kanade Deki and Dug Hi Youn each claimed 18 points, but it was Deki`s Japan who triumphed over Youn`s South Korea 83-53.

Mozambique won the final quarter 18-4 to defeat Brazil 55-44. Deolinda Ginio scored 22 points for Mozambique.

Matt McGeehan
FIBA