BC Volgaburmash cut down every team in their path en route to EuroLeague glory last season and there is a pretty good chance it could happen again if their start to this season is any indication.

		Ann Wauters

The Russian giants, a team loaded with international stars which has already clinched the 2005 FIBA Women's World League crown, broke open a close game in the third quarter and claimed a 70-59 triumph over Dexia Namur.

Maria Stepanova and Ann Wauters each had 15 points in the win.

Dexia, one of the leading sides in Belgium, showed tremendous fight in a game that was played in hostile territory. They tied the game at 38-38 on a jump shot from Elzbieta Miedzik a minute and seven seconds into the second half, but Volgaburmash, who had led by as many as 11 points in the first half, then took control by scoring the next six points of the game.

A pair of Stepanova free throws, an Ilona Korsten jump shot and two Edwige Lawson shots from the charity stripe gave the home side a 44-38 advantage, and they never trailed again.

Stepanova finished a perfect seven of seven from the line and also finished with nine rebounds.

Anna Wielebnowska had a game-high 18 points and  also pulled down seven rebounds for Dexia.