Canada and Japan prevail: FIBA U-19 World Championship for Women Roundup July 23, 2011(Part 3)
Canada 75 – Italy 51
In a Group-A game on Saturday, Canada defeated Italy 75-51. Despite of Italy’s better effort from the three-point range and charity stripe, Canada turned the game in their favour with their brilliant field shooting. Canada overall
shot 42.4 percent from the field while Italy finished at 33.3 percent overall.
Nirra Fields led Canada with her 19 points, seven rebounds, one assist and one steal. She played for 25 minutes and went six of six from the free throw line. Her team-mate Michelle Plouffe scored 17 points, grabbed eight rebounds,
distributed three assists and also made two steals.
For Italy, Francesca Dotto remained the major contributor. She made nine points during her 27 minutes of stay on court. Dotto’s also clutched four rebounds, dished three assists and made one steal for the Italian side.
Canada made some early possessions and gained the lead. They maintained the lead throughout the first quarter and sealed it by 19-10. Team Italy quickly gathered themselves and made a better effort offensively in the second frame.
They scored 15 points during the period but failed to limit Canada, who extended their lead and finished the first half by 37-25 advantage.
With few tweaks in their game plan, Italy return to the court after the break and matched the Canadian squad in every department of the game. Both teams made 12 points in the third quarter meaning that the lead remained with Canada
at the close of the period.
Canada led Italy by 49-37 heading into the final 10 minutes of the game and the stage set for an Italian comeback. However, all such hopes were thrashed by a 26-14 Canadian assault in the fourth quarter.
Japan 90 – Russia 64
Boosted by their previous win, Japan turned on the heat and overcame Russia 90-64 during a Group-B game on Saturday.
Point guard Aoi Katsura led Japan from the front. Katsura tallied game-high 22 points along with four rebounds, one assist and two steals. Her 35 minutes action included 56.2 percent shooting from the field and 57.1 percent effort
from the free throw line. Team-mate Shiori Takada chipped in with 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Ksenia Tikhonenko was the top scorer from Russia. During her 27 minutes stay, she racked up 15 points, clutched eight rebounds and made two steals. Ksenia shot 50 percent both from the 2-point and three-point range, while from
the paint she hit 66.7 percent. Kseniya Andreeva had 11 points and grabbed two rebounds for the Russian side.
Russia tipped off well, but failed to maintain the momentum. Japan made the charge midway through the first frame and left the Russians behind 24-19 after one. After receiving the jolt in the first quarter, Russia collected themselves
and restricted the Japanese offense. Russia did not allow Japan to extend their previous quarter lead further and by the time first half ended, Japan led Russia by 40-35.
Russians, which did so well until the third quarter, chocked in the final 10 minutes of the game. as Japan clattered Russia with 21-6 blitz and took the game away from them.
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