Basketball: Injury fails to hinder Allison sparkling in win over France

Edinburgh Kool Kat Becca Allison shrugged off a leg injury to play a vital role in a thrilling 62-50 win for Great Britain over France, a result which guarantees them a place in the quarter- finals of the Euro Women's Under-20 Division A Championship in Novi Sad, Serbia.

The previously unbeaten French, who have been frequent medallists at this tournament, failed to win a quarter against a GB team playing at this level for the first time after winning Division B last year.

Allison, right, who is on a scholarship at Virginia's Old Dominion University, scored eight points, took three rebounds, gave two assists and had a steal in a sharp 21-minute contribution coming off the bench.

Fellow Scot Deanne Hayward was in the starting five and also scored eight points as GB came from behind in the first quarter to outscore their rivals 21-2 in a scintillating spell. GB then never lost the lead, going on from 27-22 at half-time.

"We're still hungry for back-to-back performances and are looking forward to playing the Netherlands," said coach Damien Jennings.

"This was an excellent performance against a very athletic and talented French team."

"We mixed up our defences and frustrated them and put together the most composed offence we've achieved so far," he added.