Boxscores

BRATISLAVA (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - Cayla Marie Francis poured in 21 points for Australia on Saturday as the Gems clinched top spot in FIBA U19 World Championship for Women Group D with a hard-fought 72-68 win over Sweden.

Abby Kate Bishop and Marianna Tolo also managed double figures for the victors with 14 and 13 points respectively.

Both sides headed into the encounter full of confidence after enjoying victories over Brazil and Mali in their opening two matches.

But one 100% record had to go and, in a close encounter, it proved to be that of the Swedes.

The first quarter was a tight affair which ended finely poised at 14-13 in the Aussies' favour.

The second period in the end proved decisive, with the Australia storming it 25-17 to build a 39-30 advantage by the midway stage.

Sweden, buoyed by a game-high haul of 23 points from Frida Eldebrink, did not give up and managed to edge each of the final two quarters - 18-16 and 20-17 - to close the gap to four points, but Australia held on for the win.

Eldebrink was ably supported in the Sweden scoring stakes by Louice Sofie Halvarsson, who contributed 18 points in a losing cause.

FIBA