SAMARA, Russia, Oct. 19 - A team of WNBA players was beaten in the final of the inaugural World Cup on Sunday, losing to SGAU Samara of Russia 72-68.

NIKKI TEASLEY SCORED 21 points and Cheryl Ford added 15 for the WNBA Select team. The WNBA lost to another Russian team, UMMC, during round-robin play.

Maria Stepanova had 17 points and 16 rebounds for Samara while Mwadi Mabika added 16 points.

Samara led 51-30 midway through the third quarter but the WNBA tied it 66-66 with 1:17 to go. Samara made six free throws the rest of the way.

European champion UMMC Yekaterinburg of Russia finished in third place, beating French champion US Valenciennes Olympic 70-64. Natalie Williams had 18 points and 11 rebounds for UMMC.

Lauren Jackson scored 46 points, leading the Australia champion Canberra Capitals past South Korea champion Wooribank Hansae 74-63 for fifth place.

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