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Olympic Basketball Recaps: 25 July (Day 6)

Women's Basketball Preliminaries / Group A

BRA vs. JPN

Brazil Pulls Away For Big Win Over Japan:

Brazil needed almost 17 minutes to get its offense into high gear, but once it did, the result was not good for Japan. Brazil went on a run late in the first half to break a close game wide open and record a 100-80 victory in Group A action of the 1996 Olympic Games women's basketball competition. With 3 minutes to go in the opening half, the Brazilians slowly began to pull away and opened a 57-46 lead at the half on a lay-up by Maria Paula SILVA (BRA) just before the buzzer. The second half began where the first half had ended as Brazil slowly built its lead. Japan was unable to close the gap in the second half to under 10 points. SIILVA led Brazil with 25 points, while Marta De Sooza SOBRAL and Alessandra OLIVEIRA added 21 and 20 points, respectively. Japan was led by Aki ICHIJO's 16 points.

Final Score: BRA 100, JPN 80.


Women's Basketball Preliminaries / Group A

CAN vs. CHN

China is Victorious Over Canada With Late Surge:

In a must-win situation, China defeated Canada 61-49 to record its first win at the 1996 Olympic Games. The game was much closer than the final score indicates as China held a 28-25 lead at halftime. The game remained close until China made a decisive run in the final 5 minutes of the game. Leading by 2 points at 48-46 with 5:36 remaining, China exploded on a 9-0 run that proved to be the end of Canada's hopes for their first victory in Group A. China's defense, anchored by 6'9" center ZHENG Haixia, held Canada to a 32 percent field goal percentage (21-of-66). China was led by ZHENG's 19 points and 16 rebounds. Canada's Beverly SMITH, Shawna MOLCAK and Diane NORMAN scored 8 points each to lead the Canadians.

Final Score: CHN 61, CAN 49.


Women's Basketball Preliminaries / Group B

KOR vs. UKR Korea Upsets Ukraine and Holds on to Hope for Medal Round After losing its first two games of the Centennial Olympic Games, Korea's 72-67 upset victory over the Ukraine came in a must-win situation for Korea. With Australia and the United States sitting atop Group B undefeated, another loss for the Koreans could have certainly ended any chances of moving on to the medal round. Korea began the game with a 13-2 run and opened leads by as many as 8 points. Ukraine cut into the lead a little and trailed 34-29 at halftime. In the second half, Ukraine outscored Korea 21-10 during a 7-minute stretch to battle back and take the lead at 51-49 with 11:06 remaining. Both teams then traded baskets, with neither team gaining more than a 2-point advantage. Marino TKACHENKO (UKR) connected on a 3-point basket with 2:16 remaining to knot the game at 65-65. Korea wrapped up the win by hitting seven-of-nine free throws in the final 1:30. YOO Young-Joo and CHUN Eun-Sook led Korea with 14 points each. Ukraine was paced by TKACHENKO's 21 points and 11 rebounds. Final Score: KOR 72, RUS 67.


Women's Basketball Preliminaries / Group B

CUB vs. AUS Australia Remains Unbeaten with Victory Over Cuba The Australian women's basketball team took the lead just 32 seconds into the game on a 3-pointer by Michele TIMMS and never trailed in a 75-63 victory over Cuba. The win was Australia's third in the 1996 Olympic Games and sets up a game of the two undefeated teams in Group B - United States (3-0) and Australia (3-0). The outcome of the game was never in doubt as Australia built a double-digit lead and cruised to victory. TIMMS led Australia with 19 points, while Shelley SANDIE netted 18 points. Yamilet MARTINEZ was the only Cuban in double-figures with 19 points. Final Score: AUS 75, CUB 63.

See story.


Women's Basketball Preliminaries / Group A

ITA vs. RUS

Russia Defeats Scrappy Italian Squad in Front of 31,230 Fans.

Italy may have entered the 1996 Olympic Games as a long-shot for a chance at a medal, but the Italians have quickly changed the thoughts of many with their "never say die" attitude. Despite a 75-70 loss to Russia on Thursday morning, Italy continued the hard-nosed play which had given them two come-from-behind victories already in these Olympic Games. Italy led briefly in the first half before Russia went on a 16-3 run to take a 10-point advantage at 24-14 with 10:18 remaining. Italy the made one of its patented Olympic Games comebacks to close to within one point and finish the first half trailing by four at 41-37. A 13-5 run to open the second half gave Italy a four-point lead at 50-46 with 12:06 remaining. Russia then posted a 26-12 spurt over the next 10 minutes to take a 72-62 advantage with just over two minutes remaining in regulation. Italy battled back, but could not get any closer than five points in the final minute. Russia was led by Elen SHAKIROVA's 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Italy was led by Catarina POLLINI's 22 points. The crowd of 31, 230 fans is a world's record for attendance at a women's basketball game. Final Score: RUS 75, ITA 70.


Women's Basketball Preliminaries / Group B

USA vs. ZAI

United States Breezes to Third Olympic Games Victory.

The United States women's basketball team ran its 1996 Olympic Games record to 3-0 and its 1995-96 record to 55-0 with a 107-47 win over Zaire. The game was never in question as the United States ran out to a double-digit lead in less than five minutes after the start of the contest and never looked back. The United States placed six players in double figures, paced by Jennifer Azzi's 18 points. Lukengu NGALULA led Zaire with 17 points. Final Score: USA 107, ZAI 47.


This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.


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Olympic Factoid
Closing Ceremony of the 1996 Games involved a crew of 2,100 who worked with more than 3,500 performers as well as thousands of athletes who celebrated on the field of Olympic Stadium.