Steph Talbot started the Opals strong against Serbia with three points and then the Serbs scored a bucket two straight away

Australia found their momentum in the quarter on defence forcing two 24 second violations and then almost forcing another.

There has been a noticeable difference since the last game as the physicality had improved giving the Opals a lead by five-point lead halfway through the first quarter 10 – 5.

Serbia didn’t want to go away, Serbian Yvonne Andersen two quick buckets bringing the lead within one point off two forced shots.

Serbia isn’t letting the Opals game get away from them but can’t seem to contain the Aussies who have found their shooting rhythm.

At the end of the quarter Australia has an eight-point lead over Serbia 18 – 10.

Serbia scored five easy points right out of quarter time, however Bec Allen had something to say as she then scored five of her own easy points.

The game throughout the second quarter seems to be heading towards an easy, one-sided quarter for the Opals.

Plays such as Sami Whitcomb faultless three along with Steph Talbots amazing effort up to this point with five consecutive points.

The Opals defence kept their momentum alive, where signs the game will stay Australia’s way are looking positive although number Yvonne Anderson for Serbia had another idea.

Anderson has been bringing the energy and scoring accuracy for her Serbian team finishing with 14 points from 67% shooting.

At half time the Opals lead Serbia 36 – 28.

In the second half, Steph Talbots defence on Yvonne Anderson caused Anderson to struggle to get a clean shot off which is the energy Australia needed to bring the margin out to 13 points.

With Serbia’s leading point scorer going quiet, they had to look towards other options within the team and they surely found answers with various players like number six Sasa Cado who is Serbia’s second leading score at this point with 9 points.

Despite the fight back in the third by Serbia, Australia wins the thirst quarter and lead by 10 points going into the fourth quarter 53 – 43.

The third quarter has shown how energy on defence can lead to great plays on the offensive end.

In the fourth quarter, Australia was sharing the ball well. This game can be pretty much summed up with Steph Talbot and Bec Allen who were busy on both ends of the court holding down the momentum by locking their defence on Serbia and providing a lethal fire on offence.

The clock was stopped with 1:49 remaining of the game as Bec Allen went down after a hard hit to her ribs. At the time of writing this, it looks like Bec Allen may have suffered a broken rib.

The game concluded with a 15-point win by the Australia 69-54 with the player of the match being Bec Allen.

The key for the Opals is to not lose focus and maintain a high calibre level of physicality, they can play well by being aggressive and not being forced out of their sets when the opposing team is playing harder.

Bec Allen is an instrumental part of the Opals, however there are other like Kristy Wallace who can play just as physical and aggressive when given the opportunity.

Stats –

Bec Allen – 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks

Mariana Tolo – 12 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks

Steph Talbot – 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks

Samantha Whitcomb – 10 points, 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 1 steal

Lauren Jackson – 9 points, 3 rebounds