BANGKOK (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - Russia took a decisive lead only in the opening moments of the fourth quarter, but cantered through thereafter to post a 54-46 win over Canada in Group C on Thursday.

Tatiana Petrushina scored nine of her 11 points - including one of the only two three pointer conversions in the game - in the fourth quarter to steer Russia to the pivotal victory.

Anastasiya Shilova had scored the other three-pointer to give Russia a 38-36 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Ekaterina Kiryanova was the leading scorer for the Russians with 12 points - all of them coming in the first three quarters - to keep the European nation in the race before Petrushina's charge came.

Natalie Achonwa led the scoring for Canada with a game-high 15 points, but she fought a lonely, and therefore a losing battle.

FIBA