RIO DE JANEIRO, September 20 -- Hosts Brazil pushed away the Czech Republic 75-51 in the quarterfinals of the women's Basketball World Championship at Ibirapuera Arena in Sao Paulo.

Seattle Storms forward/guard Iziane Marques was Brazil's top scorer with 23 points. Their opponents in the semifinal round on Thursday will be the winner between Australia and France.

Brazil jumped to a quick start as they soon took an eight-point lead at the very beginning of the game, but the Czechs clawed back to level the score at 19-19 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Brazilians scored 27 points, while the Czech squad only made nine points, bringing the score to 46-28.

In the third quarter, Brazil stretched their lead to 22 points, entering the final period at 62-40. The European champions still could not stop the Brazilians in the last quarter.

Also on Thursday, the Czech Republic will play for the fifth place in the championship rankings.