Russia women’s team stuttered past Turkey into the semifinal of the Olympic basketball tournament on Tuesday.
Russia held the advantage until the third quarter, when Turkey leveled it at 51-51. But in the fourth quarter the European champion showed its class to snatch a 66-63 victory.
Turkey’s Nevriye Yilmaz led the scoring with 22 points, Russia’s naturalized American-born guard Becky Hammon added five assists to her 19 points.
In the semifinals, Russia will face either France or the Czech Republic, which are to play later Tuesday.
In the other semifinal, Australia will try to turn the tables with the United States after defeat to the Americans in the Beijing final.
Diana Taurasi top-scored with 15 points to help the six-time Olympic champion thrash Canada 91-48 in the quarterfinals, while Australia managed to break the resistance of China only in the last quarter to secure a 75-60 win.
