Russia Holds Off Brazil 69-59 for Second-Straight Win

After a thrilling win over Canada in their first game, Russia scored a convincing win this time as they held off late rallies from Brazil to hammer out a 69-59 win to stay perfect in two games in the ongoing 2012 London Olympics.

Evgeniya Belyakova bounced back from a so-so performance in the first game, finishing with 14 points, while Irina Osipova ended up with 13 points and four rebounds to go with three assists.

Marina Kuzina also had a fair share of the spotlight as she finished with 11 points and four rebounds, while Nadezhda Grishaeva added nine points and eight rebounds for Russia, who were in full control despite multiple comeback attempts from the Brazilian squad.

Led by Natalya Zhedik seven-point eruption in the first five minutes of the game, Russia quickly took a 14-5 lead, but Brazil responded with their own surge to pull within a point, 19-18, at the end of the first period.

Brazil briefly took a 20-19 lead at the start of the second period, but the Russian squad unleashed a 12-2 run to take a 31-22 lead before ending the half with a five-point advantage.

Just like in the second period, Brazil took the lead once again after a strong start in the third period before Russia mounted another rally to take control and displayed composure down the stretch, halting comeback runs from Brazil to escape with the win.

With the win, Russia, who defeated Canada, 58-53, in their first game joins France on top of Group B, while Brazil dropped to the cellar with their 0-2 record.

Erika DeSouza had a monster performance, finishing with 15 points and 18 rebounds, while Patricia De Oliveira Ferreira and Karla Costa finished with 12 and 11 points, respectively, for Brazil, who dropped one of their best players, Iziane Marques, before the Olympics due to a team violation.