ASTANA (Interstat) — Pavlodar used a strong finish to beat Astana 68-54 in a women’s professional basketball game Sunday. Pavlodar, the visiting team, scored 15 points in the first quarter, 17 in the second, 17 in the third and 19 in the fourth. Astana, the home team, scored 18 in the first quarter, 12 in the second, 15 in the third and 9 in the fourth. Astana led after the first quarter, but Pavlodar took control over the middle periods and pulled away in the final quarter. Pavlodar improved to 1-1 this season, while Astana fell to 1-1. The result gave Pavlodar a split of the season series after Astana won the teams’ previous meeting 66-53. Pavlodar next plays Turan on the road, while Astana next visits Barsy Atyrau. Pavlodar is also scheduled to face Okzhetpes and Zhetysu, and Astana is set to host Zhetysu and Turan later in the season.