JPN - INAS-FID Basketball World Championship 2006 Day 5

YOKOHAMA (INAS-FID World Championship) - Day five saw the final games in the women's preliminary round. In the first game Russia outlasted Australia 55 - 44 in a game where both teams allowed their bench to see plenty of action. Scoring for Russia were Ksenia Khokhiova with 23 and Natalya Chakulaeva with 13 while Krystal Munday put in 18 for Australia.

Poland finished out the round with a win over Mexico 82 -59. Scoring for Poland were Monika Styba with 26 and Honorata Fujawa with 18. Cira Santillan Castaneda had 28 and Gizella De La Crouz Mercz 23 in a losing cause for Mexico.

Scoring leaders at the end of the preliminary round are from Poland Honorata Fujawa with 91 points from Russia Ksenia Khokhiova with 85, Mexico's Gizella De La Crouz Mercz with 83 and from Australia Lisa Mackie with 73.

In men's play Japan defeated South Africa in a close game with both teams exchanging baskets for most of the game. In the end Japan with a score of 80 - 70. Top for Japan Akihiko Kimata with 26 and Shohei Tsue with 18. Mxolisi Xhosa with 20 and Othusitse Moya with 19 were high for South Africa.

The first half of the men's bronze medal game saw the teams exchange baskets with a half time score of 27 - 26 in favour of Australia. Poland began to pull away in the 3 quarter and finally won the game 72 - 55. Scoring for Poland Piotr Madej with 21 while Andrzej Koloziejczyk and Mariusz Wikbold contributed 20 points each. Two players had 22 points each for Australia Evan Johnson and. Nicholas Maroney with nine of Maroney's points coming on three point shots.
On Friday the women will play for the medals with Russia and Australia in the gold medal game and Poland taking on Mexico for bronze.

The final game of the tournament will have Russia play Portugal for the gold medal.