Italy Rises Above China and 6-9 Zheng

The Italian women’s basketball team, which lost to the United States by 40 points in Indianapolis a week ago, beat China, 62-53.

Nicolletta Caselin scored 16 points to lead Italy, which went ahead to stay, 51-50, on Susanna Bonfiglio’s two free throws with 6 1/2 minutes left.

China’s 6-foot-9 Zheng Haixia wasn’t a factor, finishing with eight points and five rebounds. China entered the Games as one of the medal favorites.

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Brazil wore down Canada, which shot only 34% and committed 20 turnovers in a 69-56 loss to the defending world champion. Maria Paula Silva and Janeth Arcain led Brazil with 17 points each. . . . Rachel Sporn had 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead Australia to a 76-61 victory over South Korea. . . . Marina Tkachenko scored 16 of her 27 points in the first half as Ukraine routed Zaire, 81-65. . . . Russia outrebounded Japan, 45-31, in its 73-63 victory.