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MOSCOW REGION (FIBA U21 World Championship for Women) - The Australian Under 21 Women's basketball team, the Sapphires, recorded a composed 82-72 win over European number two Hungary in their 2007 FIBA World Championship campaign at the SK Vidnoje Hall in Vidnoje, Russia this evening.
 
The Sapphires backed-up after suffering a 2-point loss to the USA yesterday as well as attending the tournaments opening ceremony and a late night training session to prepare for today's game.
 
The Sapphires are competing in the 2007 FIBA World Championships for Under 21 Women in Vidnoje City, Russia from June 29 to July 8.
 
"It was a completely different style than yesterday and we really had to grind it out defensively," Head Coach Gary Fox said.

"For us to back up 21 hours after that heart breaking loss yesterday and play the second ranked European team is very, very tough.

"We out-rebounded them which was big for us. We limited them to just six offensive rebounds for the game.

"Our schedule is really tough, the girls were up at 6am and it is just tough, day after day after day and you have to make adjustments every day because you come up against a different style everyday.
 
"It was a great win for the girls and we are pleased with where the girls are at."

Bendigo Spirit forward and defencejobs Opals squad member Jenna O'Hea scored a game high 27 points to lead the Sapphires while Illawarra born Renae Camino contributed 19 points and South Australian Abby Bishop added an 11-point, 10 rebound double-double in support.
 
Rita Kollo scored 21 points to lead Hungary with Katalin Honti and Dore Horti adding 19 points and 11 points respectively.
 
Both sides exchanged baskets for the majority of the opening term but a late surge from the Sapphires combined with 10 points from O'Hea, saw them hold a 25-20 quarter time lead.
 
The Sapphires extended their lead to 13 points midway through the second quarter with across the board contributions before Hungary toiled hard to reduce the Sapphires lead to 47-41 at half time.
 
The Sapphires were unable to put Hungary away in the third term despite regularly opening up solid leads before eventually establishing a 63-59 three quarter time buffer.
 
The Sapphires started the final term with 9-0 run, seven of which came from Camino, to open up a 72-59 lead but Hungary refused to lie down and responded with an 8-2 run to reduce the margin to six points with three minutes remaining.
 
But a composed Australian side finished of the game to register the 10-point, 82-72 win. 

After only pulling in 22 rebounds against the US last night, the Sapphires dominated the rebounding duel, winning 44-33.

2006/07 WNBL Rookie of the Year Cayla Francis pulled in 9 rebounds before fouling out while Bendigo point guard Kathleen MacLeod continues to lead the tournament in assists with 6 this evening.

Ben Hawes
Basketball Australia