SAO PAULO, Brazil _ Russia stunned the two-time defending champion United States 75-68 in the semifinals of the women's world basketball championship on Thursday and will play Australia in the final.

The Americans' defeat ended their world championship winning streak, dating to the 1994 bronze-medal game, at 26, and snapped their string of victories in the Olympics and worlds at 51.

Russia had lost to the United States in the last two finals.

Australia, bronze medalists in the previous two worlds, advanced to its first final by beating host Brazil 88-76.

Russia took advantage of poor shooting and sloppy ball-handling by the U.S. to take a 58-38 lead after three quarters. The Americans closed to 73-68 with 45 seconds left, but after two missed free throws by Oxana Rakhmatulina with 30 seconds to go, the U.S. took up almost all of the 24-second shot clock and Candace Parker missed a layup with 12 seconds left.

Ilona Korstin made two free throws with 10 seconds to go and No. 2-ranked Russia avenged a 90-80 loss to the top-ranked Americans in the first round.

Penelope Taylor scored 26 points and Belinda Snell added 22 for Australia.