Russia saved from Diamond Ball last place

Russia vs Mali (Photo credit: Xinhua)Photo Gallery>>(BEIJING, August 5) -- Tatiana Shchegoleva tied her teammate Ilona Korstin for a game-high 12 points as Russia crushed Mali 79-52 to catch their only victory and finish in second-to-last place in the FIBA Diamond Ball Tournament for Women in Haining, China.

Russia dominated on the court, burying 32 of 60 to shoot 53.3% from the field, compared to 18 of 54 (33.3% accuracy) by the African champion.

With Russia one of the favorites to go to the semifinals in this year's Olympics, it was surprising when Mali stayed so close in the beginning, closing the first quarter only four points behind at 19-15.

By halftime the score was 35-26 with the Eurobasket champion enjoying a nine-point advantage, and the result was all but assured as Russia closed the third quarter 61-36 with an unassailable advantage. They stayed on top the rest of the game to finish it at 79-52.

Russia's Maria Stepanova made five of nine attempts inside the arc on her way to 11 points while Svetlana Abrosimova and Marina Kuzina netted eight points apiece.

American-born Becky Hammon also had six points to go with three assists for the Russian team.

It is only the third game Hammon has played with Russia since her recent naturalization.

The 31-year-old WNBA guard, longing to make her appearance at the Olympics, decided to play for Russia despite the controversy her decision invited.

Nagnouma Coulibaly scored nine points and grabbed an impressive 13 rebounds for Mali with Diana Leo Gandega coming just behind with eight points.

Mali claimed gold at the 2007 African Championship and thus qualified for the Beijing Games with a 63-56 shock victory over Senegal, a team who has dominated the sport in the African continent. Considering the lack of resources available for Mali's basketball program, and the fact that Senegal has won half of the continental championships since 1966, Mali's presence at the Olympics is a remarkable achievement in itself.

"We only have one gym in the entire country," Mali coach Jose Ruiz told Fiba.com. "It is located in the capital, Bamako.

"Sometimes we have 30 girls practicing at the same time, with only one basketball."

Despite all the difficulties, Ruiz succeeded in bring the team to the Olympics.

Mali will be in group B at the Olympics with the United States, China, New Zealand, Czech Republic and Spain, with Russia competing in group A against Australia, Brazil, Latvia, Belarus and the Republic of Korea.