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MADRID (FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament) – Chinese Taipei made things awkward, but Belarus prevailed 81-65 to progress to the quarter-finals of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women.

Upset by Cuba in their first Group D game, Belarus had to win on Wednesday to avoid elimination.

Chinese Taipei, who led Cuba in the second half before running out of steam, hit back from an early 7-2 deficit to lead 14-10.

A jump shot in the lane by Volha Padabed sparked an 8-2 run for Belarus and put them on top for good although they did not pull away.

A jumper by Lin Chi-Wen with 7:24 to play cut the Belarus advantage to 57-52.

They would get no closer.

Belarus out-rebounded Chinese Taipei 50-30.

The winners got 13 points apiece from Olga Masilionene, Yelena Leuchanka and Tatyana Troina.

A win against Brazil on Friday in the quarter-finals will give the Belarus women a spot in the Olympics for the first time.

FIBA