Normal service resumed at the EuroBasket Women on Monday as Russia thrashed Belarus 87-73 in qualifying round Group F.

Knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten by Serbia two days ago after a lacklustre effort, Igor Grudin’s team broke open a close game midway through the second quarter against Belarus and led by as many as 30 points before easing to victory in the fourth quarter.

		Korstin was a spark plug for Russia with a game-high 21 points.

“Today, we had a very aggressive defense, everyone got out on the fast break,” said Russia’s Natalia Vodopyanova.

“We had a meeting before the game and we wanted to show good basketball.”

Ilona Korstin led the points parade with a game-high 21 on eight of 11 shooting for the Russians, who dominated the boards by grabbing 50 rebounds – 18 on the offensive glass – to just 25 overall for Belarus.

When asked which players had spoken up in the team meeting before tip-off, Korstin said she, Oxana Rakhmatulina and Maria Stepanova tried to fire up the troops.

“We said we can’t lose to this team,” Korstin said. “We lost to Serbia, so we were very upset. Tonight, we wanted to show our fans we can win and we have a great team.”

Belarus entered the game after falling to France in their first qualifying round clash, and they more than held their own against the Russians, trailing 31-30 with 5:28 remaining in the first half after a three-pointer from Katsiaryna Snytsina.

But Korstin and Co outscored them 10-1 to close the first half and then opened the third quarter on a 10-2 run.

After Irina Osipova and Anastasiya Veremeenko traded baskets to start the second half, the wheels came off for Anatoli Buyalski’s team.

Korstin scored on an alley-oop pass from Rakhmatulina and then Korstin returned the favour, spotting an open Rakhmatulina who buried a jump shot to make it 47-33.

Rakhmatulina was outstanding in this stretch.

She then handed the ball off to Olga Arteshina and collected her fourth assist as the sweet-shooting Arteshina drilled a jumper.

Rakhmatulina then stole the ball from Nataliya Trafimava and drove in for a lay-up and 51-33 lead.

The lead grew to 73-43 on a shot from the arc from little-used Russian reserve forward Irina Sokolovskaya.

Russia did take their foot off the pedal and allowed Belarus to claw their deficit back to 85-73 before settling for a 14-point triumph.

Russia have been far from their best at this EuroBasket and Serbia made them pay the price for that on Saturday by jumping out to a big lead and holding on for a narrow triumph.

Igor Grudin’s team will now try to get on track in Group F against Belarus, whose own two-game winning streak came to an end against France in Ortono.

		Sviatlana Volnaya will need to be on her game for Belarus on Monday.

Russia’s guards did not excel against Serbia, especially defensively with Milica Dabovic burying three-pointers and scoring on drives to the basket on her way to a game-high 28 points.

Oxana Rakhmatulina fouled out of the game with just five points, one assist, four rebounds, one turnover and no steals.

What complicates Russia’s situation now is the fitness of Tatiana Shchegoleva, the 1.92m power forward/center who makes a living on those slashing moves to the basket.

Shchegoleva injured her leg in the first quarter against Serbia and did not return until the fourth quarter with Russia looking for a spark.

Grudin would prefer not to play her against Belarus unless she feels good enough.

Last Result: Russia lost 67-65 to Serbia and Belarus fell to France, 72-60.

Key Match-up: Belarus’ Yelena Leuchanka v Russia’s Maria Stepanova. Leuchanka scored a team-high 14 points and grabbed 11 rebounds against the Serbians and coach Anatoli Buyalski could sure use a big game from her to prevent Stepanova from dominating the low post.

Key Stat: Anastasiya Verameyenka is shooting 87.5 % from the floor for Belarus. Maybe Buyalski would like his 1.92m center to look for her shot even more.

X-Factor: Svetlana Volnaya hasn’t been at her best in this EuroBasket for Belarus but the EuroLeague Women All-Star at USK Prague has the kind of game that can cause problems for Russia on both ends of the floor. She is athletic and normally a good shooter who can also put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket.

Speaking Out: “Maybe they’re (Russia) angry and will be aggressive against us, but we’re as hungry as they are and we’ll try and do our best” – Belarus guard Natalia Marchanka