At 36, Oliva Scores 20 as Brazil Beats Russia

Hortencia Oliva, still a threat at age 36, scored 20 points to lead Brazil past Russia, 82-68, in a battle between medal contenders.

Trailing by five points early, Brazil (2-0) never trailed after scoring six consecutive points to take a 33-27 lead late in the first half. Oliva hit an 18-footer to start the run and finished seven for 12 from the field with six rebounds and four assists.

Marta Sobral added 17 points for Brazil, the 1994 world champion, while Maria Silva and Janeth Arcain each scored 11.

Russia (1-1) trailed, 43-42, after Yelena Baranova’s layup with 16:33 to play. But Silva made three baskets in a 14-4 run that increased Brazil’s lead to 57-46.

Irina Rutkovskaya’s 18 points led Russia, which shot only 39%.

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Japan contained 6-foot-8 Zheng Haixia in the second half and rallied for a 75-72 victory over China. Mikiko Hagiwara scored the go-ahead basket on a driving layup with 59 seconds to play and led Japan (1-1) with 23 points.

Zheng, who weighs 253 pounds, had eight inches and 100 pounds on each of the two Japanese players who guarded her and finished with 31 points and 16 rebounds. But she managed only 10 points and five rebounds in the second half as Japan countered her with quickness and sharp passing.

Viviana Ballabio and Mara Fullin each scored 15 points and Italy (2-0) rallied in the second half with three-point shooting to beat Canada, 59-54. Canada fell to 0-2.

Maria Leon scored 20 points and Yamilet Martinez added 19 as Cuba (1-1) posted a 70-55 victory over South Korea (0-2).

South Korea forced 22 Cuban turnovers, but shot only 26% Cuba outrebounded the Koreans, 49-26.

Australia (2-0) posted a 91-45 victory over Zaire (0-2).