BEIJING (Olympics) – Anete Jekabsone-Zogota dribbled into the lane and scored with 2.7 seconds left to lift Latvia to a 79-78 Group A triumph over Brazil – their first victory at the Olympics.

Jekabsone, who poured in a game-high 25 points to lead all scorers, told FIBA.com about the game-winning play.

She said: "I think for everybody, for the spectators, for my team-mates, it was more stressful but not for me. I was really calm.

“I was on the court, just thinking about what I had to do. I didn't think about the seven seconds on the clock and the last offense.

“I am very happy because I made the shot. I took it too early because they still had a chance but fortunately we won.”

The victory has improved the Latvians’ record to 1-2 and kept the Baltic country firmly in the hunt for a place in the quarter-finals.

Brazil led by 12 points in the first half but allowed the Latvians to hang around and trail by just five at half-time.

Ainars Zvirgzdins’ team was still behind at 59-57 after three quarters but then outscored the Brazilians 10-5 over the first five minutes of the fourth quarter for a 67-64 lead.

The game ended up with a dramatic finish.

A three-point play by Kelly Santos trimmed Latvia’s lead to 74-73 with 1:24 remaining. After Gunta Basko missed for Latvia, Adriana scored with 40 seconds left to give her team the lead.

Ieva Kublina, having missed three shots from long range, finally hit one for Latvia to put her team back in front at 77-75.

Not to be outdone, Karen Rocha connected from the right corner to put Brazil in front with seven seconds to go.

That set the stage for the left-handed Jekabsone, who received the inbounds pass near midcourt, made it to the free throw line and spun into the lane for the shot that was probably heard all the way back in Riga.

Brazil called timeout after Jekabsone’s basket and when play resumed, Adriana Pinto took the ball, entered the paint and got off a jump shot from 10 feet that hit off the backboard and the front of rim but stayed out.

Brazil’s bench looked disappointed that a foul had not been called, but Adriana said: “It's hard for a referee to call a foul. I know they would never call a foul in that play.”

Brazil have now suffered two narrow defeats and a decisive loss to Australia, and they look set to miss out on the quarter-finals.

“It's difficult, almost impossible, but we have to do our part,” said Brazil coach Paulo Bassul ahead of clashes against Russia and Belarus.

“It's two games, two difficult games.

“Australia are playing the best basketball in our group, the other five are having tough games, no more than five points - Russia have a great group. We'll work hard to have two games against both.

“It's a real challenge to recuperate, but we will try to do that.”

Bassul also emphasized how he appreciated his Brazilian players’ effort.

“I am proud of the group,” Bassul said.

“When you change nine or 10 players (since 2006 FIBA World Championship), it's difficult. Sometimes, it takes five or six years.

“We are learning to develop in the good times and the bad. Sport at this level is about learning and growing with the opportunities you have.”

The Latvians will take on Australia and Korea in their last two games.

FIBA