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BRATISLAVA (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - Canada secured their first victory in Group C of the FIBA U19 World Championship for Women with a narrow 74-72 success over winless Japan.

The lead changed hands several times in the opening quarter but a 6-0 run helped the Japanese to a 17-15 advantage at the end of the period.

Canada fought back however, and 13 unanswered points at the start of the second - including a three-pointer from Kendel Ross - allowed them to turn the game around 37-24 by half-time.

Another trey from Ross opened the scoring in the third quarter as Canada stretched their lead to 53-38, but Japan launched a comeback in the final 10 minutes led by Yoshie Fukushi.

The 19-year-old scored 14 points, including three three-pointers, as the Asians took the period 34-21, although they still fell narrowly short of their target.

Krysten Boogaard totalled 25 points and 13 rebounds for Canada, while Ross chipped in with figures of 14 and seven.

Fukishi was the leading scorer for Japan, pouring in 19 points in a losing cause.

Shelley Lewis
FIBA