Australia’s Opals have despatched a superb pre-Olympic Video games message, smashing fellow powerhouse China 94-66 in Melbourne.
The Chinese language, ranked No.2 on this planet, got here in at full energy with the Aussies lacking their high WNBA abilities like Ezi Magbegor.
But the Opals upset the guests after dominating from the opening minutes, within the first of two warm-up video games as they put together to finalise their squad for Paris.
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The hosts took a 23-15 benefit into quarter-time with Alice Kunek main all comers with 9 factors (4-from-4 taking pictures).
Darcee Garbin lit up the second quarter, sitting on 12 factors from five-of-six taking pictures, joined by Isobel Borlase (10 factors, 4-of-4 taking pictures) because the Aussies led 45-36 on the major break.
Borlase, simply 19, placed on a “full show” in line with commentator John Casey as she made a formidable push for Olympic choice, serving to the Aussies run away with it from there.
She completed with 19 factors (8-12 taking pictures) with three threes plus three assists and three rebounds in 21 minutes, whereas Kunek additionally had 19 factors (8-10 taking pictures).
Cayla George had eight rebounds whereas Lauren Jackson, who began the sport, had 13 factors and three rebounds however shot simply 3-of-10.
China heads into Paris 2024 ranked second on this planet, with the Aussies third, in an Olympic group which incorporates Canada, Nigeria and France.
Two groups plus a possible third will advance from that group into the quarter-finals, a stage the place the Opals have been eradicated on the final two Olympics.
The Opals gained bronze in London and silver in Sydney, Athens and Beijing. In addition they completed third within the 2022 FIBA World Cup, performed at house.
Earlier this 12 months the Opals went 2-1 on a tour of China in opposition to Wednesday night time’s opponents.
OPALS STARTING LINE-UP
Tess Madgen, Maddy Rocci, Alice Kunek, Cayla George, Lauren Jackson
CURRENT OPALS SQUAD (WNBA gamers unavailable)
Amy Atwell, Zitina Aokuso, Isobel Borlase, Darcee Garbin, Cayla George, Lauren Jackson, Alice Kunek, Tess Madgen, Lauren Nicholson, Steph Reid, Maddy Rocci, Marianna Tolo