Host Czechs win in OT, advance to worlds final

KARLOVY VARY, Czech Republic (AP) - Eva Viteckova scored 18 of her 21 points in the second half and overtime to lead the Czech Republic to an 81-77 victory Saturday over Belarus in the semifinals of the women's basketball world championship.

The Czechs, who made the semifinals by knocking off defending champion Australia, will face the winner of the U.S. and Spain game on Sunday for the gold medal.

This was the first time that the Czechs had advanced to the medal round since dissolving from Slovakia in 1993. The former Czechoslovakia won two silver medals and four bronzes from 1953-1975.

Similar to the men's world championship with host Turkey making it to the gold-medal game, the Czechs didn't disappoint their home fans. A spirited sellout crowd celebrated the biggest win in the country's history.

The teams traded baskets in overtime until Viteckova's 3-pointer with 1:50 left gave the host team a 77-73 lead. Belarus wouldn't go away as Yelena Leuchanka hit two free throws to cut the deficit to two.

Hana Horakova, who finished with 14 points, hit two free throws to restore the four-point edge. After two more free throws by Leuchanka made it 79-77, Viteckova sealed the game making two from the foul line with 16.9 seconds left.

Natallia Marchanka missed a layup on the other end and the clock ran out, starting off a massive celebration by the Czech team and its fans.

Anastasiya Verameyenka scored 24 points to lead Belarus. Leuchanka added 17 points.

Trailing 68-65 with 10.9 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Belarus guard Natalia Marchanka was fouled. She made the first free throw, but missed the second. The Belarusians got the rebound and Trafimava made a layup with 4.9 seconds left to tie the game.

The Czechs had one last chance, but Jana Vesela's shot was blocked by Verameyenka at the buzzer, forcing overtime.

Belarus led by two at the half, and the second half was a back-and-forth contest with neither team able to build more than a seven-point lead. The two former Soviet Republic nations put on an entertaining game for the boisterous crowd of more than 5,000.

Belarus advanced to the semis with an upset win over top-seeded Russia. The Belarusians have improved on the international scene in the last few years. They finished third at the European Championship in 2007 and qualified for their first Olympics in 2008. They placed sixth in Beijing.

Belarus also made a splash at the tournament by wearing dress-like uniforms with shorts. The players had made a deal with the strength and conditioning coach that if they beat Russia, he would wear one of the outfits for warmups before the semifinals.

However, the governing body of international basketball wouldn't allow it, saying only players can wear uniforms on the court.