Australia-Vs-China | 30-09-22

Throughout this tournament, there have been two things that haven’t changed. Both Australia and China have had the loudest fans.

The Opals first bucket comes from Ezi Magbegor which is then followed by a Steph Talbot 3 triple not long after.

The Opals game plan seems to be clear off the bat, be aggressive on offence and contest every shot from China.

China stuck to their stereotype of playing tough and relentless as this first quarter the Opals have been feeling the pressure but at this point maintaining a 3-point lead.

Bec Allen subbed in the first quarter providing some valuable minutes steadying the pace on defence defending well and rebounding efficiently.

Playing hard on offence got the Opals over the foul limit. Lauren Jackson came on at the end of the first quarter and has provided some excellent stability.

The first quarter finishes with Australia taking a 4-point lead 17 – 13. Up to the end of the quarter, Steph Talbot has been incredible with 6 points, 4 rebounds and 1 steal.

China score the first 5 points out of the second quarter while Sami Whitcomb scores the first 6 for the Opals.

Australia are struggling to contain 205cm Chinese player Xu Han scores China’s first 7-points of the quarter.

It’s been the Xu Han quarter, the Chinese Centre scores all of her 9-points to give China the lead which triggers Sandy Brondello to call a time out with the Opals trailing by 3 points 28-25 with 5:36 remaining in the half.

The Opals were unlucky to miss some wide-open shots late in the half to only have China make Australia pay on the other end.

Australia are now training China 36 – 30 but are not making it easy for them to widen their lead.

Sami Whitcomb finishes the half with 13 points leading the way for the Opals with 13 points, 1 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal.

Magbegor brings the toughness for the Opals in the third quarter opening the Opals scoring account with three straight buckets which puts score board pressure on China.

This quarter Australia can’t pass off any opportunity to score as China has a habit of easily making teams pay.

The half time chat by Sandy Brondello has helped steady the Opals with defensive grit and composure on offence.

Australia wins the third quarter by 3 points 14 – 11 but still trail by 3 points with only one quarter to go 47 – 44.

The Opals are focused, China’s first possession in the fourth ends with a 24-second violation.

Both teams trade buckets but the Opals trail after some forced shots with China managing to capitalise on. Coach Brondello has seen enough and calls a time out at the 6:54 make of the fourth quarter.

Australia’s defence lifts which give them more chances on offence but just have to convert their opportunities.

The penny is seeming like its dropping for China after they turn the ball over which gives Whitcomb a wide-open layup. China’s Head Coach doesn’t like how his team is going and calls a time out with 5:17 left in the Semi-Final to tie 51-51.

Steph Talbot gives the Opals the lead with the next 2 pointer until 205cm Han Xu evens the scores at 53 all.

Kristy Wallace is giving the Opals great minutes by proving diligent defence and offence. She draws a foul and converts both to get Australia ahead by 2 points 55 – 53.

A light foul from Sami Whitcomb sends China to the line where they even the scores at 55 all.

This game is tight and will come down to offensive perfection in the last 3 minutes.

The Opals get ahead by 2 points from Steph Talbot twobut not for long until China score 57 – 57.

Cayla George gives Australia the lead by 2 point game after she is fouled on a drive making both of her freethrow’s.

An unfortunate turnover from Steph Talbot gives China the bucket to even the game at 59 all which means Sandy Brondello calls a time out with 46.6 seconds remaining in the game.

Australia had possession but didn’t make the bucket which sees the ball go out of bounds, China want to win and call a timeout with 22.3 seconds left.

Sami Whitcomb gets her fifth foul and sends China to the line where they make 2 free throws to give them the lead by two 61 – 59.

Coach Brondello calls timeout with 3.4 remaining.

The ball advances to the offensive quarter, Ezi Magbegor gets a chance to even the score and send the game to OT but misses.

China wins the game by two points 61 – 59.

Throughout this competition, Chinese fans came to in droves to support their home country.

This broke a world record with the most attendees in a stadium for a world cup basketball game at 11, 916.

Stats –

1 – Sami Whitcomb | 15 points | 2 rebounds | 3 assists | 2 steals |

2 – Ezi Magbegor | 12 points | 10 rebounds | 3 assists | 3 steals |

3 – Steph Talbot | 12 points | 10 rebounds | 3 assists | 1 block |

4 – Cayla George | 10 points | 1 rebounds | 2 assists | 2 steals |

5 – Marianna Tolo | 6 points | 8 rebounds |