Australia's youthful Opals have been pressured right into a game-three sequence decider by Japan after the reigning Olympic silver medallists scored a 56-55 win in Sydney.Key factors:Sara Blicavs was the Opals' prime scorer with 16 factorsMonica Okoye scored a game-high 20 factors for JapanThe Opals received the opening sport of the sequence 72-66The Opals scored the final …
Australia’s youthful Opals have been pressured right into a game-three sequence decider by Japan after the reigning Olympic silver medallists scored a 56-55 win in Sydney.
The Opals scored the final 4 factors of sport two on Sunday, however Japan held on to stage the sequence going into the ultimate encounter in Newcastle on Tuesday.
The hosts — who received the sequence opener 72-66 — scored the primary 9 factors and led 13-2 within the first quarter of sport two, however either side defended tenaciously and struggled offensively in a low-scoring grind.
The Opals shot 30 per cent from the sector and 20 per cent from three-point territory, with Japan taking pictures 28 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.
The 2 groups mixed for simply 13 of 56 lengthy bombs.
Loading
Ahead Sara Blicavs starred for the Opals, top-scoring with 16 factors and a game-high 12 rebounds.
Younger level guard Shyla Heal added some prompt the bench, hitting three lengthy bombs within the second half to complete with 11 factors, as did ahead Darcee Garbin.
Guard Tess Madgen and centre Cayla George every dragged down 10 boards to assist the Opals to a 55-44 rebounding benefit, however between them made simply three of 21 from the sector.
Monica Okoye troubled the Opals together with her inside-outside sport, scoring a game-high 20 factors in slightly below 24 minutes.
Okoye hit seven from 9 from the sector, together with three of 5 from lengthy vary.
Reigning WNBL MVP Anneli Maley will make her Opals debut on Tuesday after coming back from america, the place she had a short stint with WNBA aspect Chicago Sky.
AAP
Keep in touch with our news & offers
