| 02 August 2007
With a berth in the semi-finals hanging in the balance, Russia needed a late fight-back to knock off a motivated Belgium and give themselves excellent chances of making the top four of the Termosteps U16 European Championship Women.
Alexandra Tarasova scored 11 of her 19 points in the final four minutes and grabbed 15 rebounds for Russia, who improved to 4-1 in Group F and awaited the result of the France-Spain showdown to see if they made Saturday's semis.
Viktoria Medvedeva added 15 points and 10 rebounds for Russia, who out-rebounded the Belgians 50-37 in the game.
Russia began pulling away midway through the second quarter, opening a 28-17 lead. The advantage was still 50-42 with three minutes left in the third.
But the Belgians, playing mainly for pride, fought back with a 12-1 run to go ahead 54-51. Russia led 56-54 but watched Belgium score nine straight points for a 63-56 lead on Noemie Mayombo's three-point play with four mintues left.
Tarasova answered with seven consecutive points and Medvedeva's foul shot gave Russia back the lead 65-63.
Tarasova scored another basket, then rebounded rebounded a missed free throw and was fouled, making both from the stripe to give Russia a 69-65 bulge with 35 seconds left.
And Anastasia Pasynkova made three of four foul shots in the final 13 seconds to finish off the victory.
Shamira Linskens led Belgium, who dropped to 0-5, with 16 points and 10 rebounds while Mayombo added 11 points and five assists in a losing cause.
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