The Latvia women's basketball machine started slow but finished fast with a resounding triumph over the upset-minded Czech Republic on Thursday.

In the last game of the opening day play of the Qualifying Round at the Arena Riga, around 7,000 fans roared from start to finish as the Latvians won for the fourth time in as many games, 65-47.

Anete Jekabsone-Zogota ripped to shreds another defense, pouring in 25 points.

One of the true superstars in the European game, Jekabsone-Zogota scored 20, 25 and 26 points in the wins over Poland, Hungary and Greece in the Group B games in Liepaja.

"I want to thank all the fans for their support," she said.

"We had a great defense and that helped the offense. Now we need to forget this game and concentrate on our game against Slovakia."

The Czechs played their part in an interesting encounter, opening a 17-10 lead with 3:49 remaining in the first quarter when Eva Viteckova struck from behind the arc, a shot that took her personal haul to 10 
points.

Coach Milan Veverka had prepared his team well for double-teams Latvia often surprise opponents with because the Czech players dealt with the pressure by repeatedly finding teammates cutting to the basket for lay-ups.

The Latvians responded with a 9-3 run, capped by Jekabsone-Zogota's three-ball, and trailed 20-19.

The Czechs brought their shooting stroke with them to the Qualifying Round, though, with Michala Hartigova pulling up and hitting a long three-pointer right before the first-quarter buzzer for a 23-19 lead.

Jana Vesela made it 25-19 with a lay-up more than two minutes into the second quarter to increase the advantage to six, only for Latvia to outscore the Czechs 15-6 over the last 7 minutes and 45 seconds of the half.

It didn't help the Czech Republic that center Petra Kulichova picked up her third foul with 4:10 remaining.

Gunta Basko had five points, including a shot from the arc, and Ieva Tare contributed four free throws in the run as Latvia went to the changing rooms on top, 34-31.

Zane Tamane had four points and Jekabsone-Zogota six as Latvia went on a 10-2 midway through the third quarter to open up a 44-35 lead.

The Baltic outfit pressed home the advantage over the last four minutes of the frame with a 9-3 spurt to stretch the advantage to 53-38.

They blew away the Czechs  in the fourth quarter.

"We are very glad that we are here and we can play these games," Veverka said.

"We played very well in the first half but the home team started to play defense better and better after the break.

"We missed many shots in the second half. I think the difference in rebounds and turnovers says it all."

The Czechs had 15 turnovers to just eight for Latvia, while the home side out-rebounded the visitors 46-33.

Vesela and Kulichova each blocked two shots for the Czechs.

Viteckova finished with 16 points.

"We didn't play well on offense in the second half," Vesela said.

"We couldn't stop them from getting rebounds. Jekabsone-Zogota played very well and we simply couldn't stop her."

Latvia coach Ainars Zvirgzdins was all smiles after the game.

"I want to thank my girls," he said. "They played aggressive defense. I am happy that we are already in the Quarter-Finals."