Sports/Olympics / Basketball

Brazil beat S.Korea in women's basketball worlds
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-09-14 09:42

RIO DE JANEIRO, September 13 -- Brazil defeated South Korea 106-86 in the FIBA Women's World Basketball Championship at the Ibirapuera Arena, in the city of Sao Paulo on Wednesday.

It was first time Brazil hit the century mark in a FIBA World Championship for Women.

South Korean Yeon Ha Boeon scored game-high 25 points while Iziane Marques, who currently plays for the Seattle Storm at the WNBA, was Brazil's leading scorer, with 21 points.

Brazil established their lead from the beginning of the game. Center Alessandra de Oliveira, who plays in South Korea for the club Woori Bank Hansae, performed well as Brazil led 23-15 by the end of first quarter.

The second quarter began with Brazilian guard Janeth Arcain's jump shots bringing the score to 30-15. South Koreans stroke back, as Yeon Ha Boeon's three-point game cut Brazil's lead to only four points. The first half ended at 43-38, with Brazil still leading.

Brazil was back from the locker room with their first-choice team. With the help from center Soeli Zakrzeski's three-pointers, Brazil consolidated the lead to close the third quarter at 80-60.

Brazil led Group A which also comprised of Argentina, South Korea and Spain.

Spain were defeated by Argentina on Wednesday, meaning that Spain will fight for victory over Brazil in the last round of the preliminaries on Thursday, in order to get a place at the quarter-finals.