The Opals have arrange an enormous group-deciding conflict with Japan within the ladies’s basketball Asian Cup after cruising to a second large win by hammering Taiwan 91-45.
Australia have been challenged greater than of their 71-point opening sport rout of the Philippines, however their top benefit, a number of scoring choices and stifling defence proved decisive on Tuesday.
Taiwan opened the scoring with a three-pointer, however that was their solely lead with Australia reeling off the following 11 factors.
The Opals’ lead by no means dipped under 4 as they led 19-12 at quarter-time and scored the final 9 factors of the second to steer 41-24 at half-time.
Australia maintained the strain all through the second half to steer by 30 at three-quarter time and conceded simply 5 factors within the remaining quarter.
The Opals had a colossal 68-21 rebounding benefit with Anneli Maley dragging down 15 boards.
Forward Keely Froling added some offensive punch off the bench, topscoring with 16 factors and notching 9 rebounds and two blocks.
Captain Tess Madgen was good from the sector taking pictures 4 from 4 in her 12-point haul, a tally matched by fellow guard Madison Rocci.
Chantal Horvat scored 10 in 10 minutes, Alice Kunek additionally tallied 10 and pulled in 9 rebounds.
Taiwan shot at underneath 28 per cent from the sector and none of their gamers scored greater than eight.
“They put a lot of pressure on the ball, I thought as the game went we did a great job of handling that,” Opals coach Shannon Seebohm stated.
“Particularly in the second half I thought we executed really well and another outstanding defensive performance as well.”
Top spot within the four-team round-robin group might be settled on Wednesday when Australia meet Japan, who additionally moved to 2-0 with a 95-57 win over the Philippines.
Japan, who’re searching for a sixth straight Asian Cup title, made 18 three-pointers of their win.
“They’ve definitely got the advantage on the perimeter against us, we’ve got the height advantage inside,” Madgen informed AAP.
“All of our match-ups will be a height advantage so it’s critical we win the rebounding.”
In Group A, Korea additionally confirmed their risk from distance making 14 triples of their 76-54 victory over New Zealand, whereas unbeaten China beat New Zealand 80-46, outscoring the Tall Ferns 32-7 within the third quarter.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
