In an electrifying showdown at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Tournament 2023, the women’s basketball teams of Australia and New Zealand battled it out for the prestigious third-place position. The thrilling encounter showcased brilliant displays of athleticism and strategic prowess from both sides, culminating in a victorious performance by the Opals lady.

Right from tip-off, it was evident that Australia came prepared to assert their dominance on the court. With precision passes and accurate shooting, the Australian team quickly established themselves as early frontrunners in the match. By the end of the first quarter, Australia had built a comfortable lead with a score of 22-14.

Undeterred by their opponents’ strong start, New Zealand fought back ferociously in the second quarter. The Kiwi team exhibited tremendous resilience, mounting a fierce offensive onslaught against their Australian counterparts. However, despite their valiant efforts, they could not close the gap on the scoreboard fully. At halftime, Australia maintained their advantage with a score of 39-28.

As the game progressed into the third quarter, it became increasingly clear that Australia was determined to secure victory without leaving any room for doubt. The Australian women demonstrated remarkable teamwork and cohesion on both ends of the court, powering through New Zealand’s defensive lines with ease.

By consistently converting scoring opportunities and effectively stifling New Zealand offensively, Australia extended their lead to an impressive 18 points by the end of the third quarter with a scoreline of 63-45.

The final quarter saw both teams pour all their remaining energy into making one last push towards victory. New Zealand fought gallantly to narrow down Australia’s lead and ignite hopes of a comeback. With swift offensive plays and gritty defence, they showcased incredible determination until the final buzzer sounded.

However, it was ultimately Australia who emerged triumphant with an unyielding performance throughout the game. Their collective efforts, skilful maneuvering, and relentless pursuit of victory proved to be the deciding factors in securing a merited win. 81-59 was the final score at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre in favour of the host team.

For the Opals, Alice Kunek scored 19 points, along with five rebounds and two assists. Anneli Maley also chipped in crucial 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists. Tess Madgen (14 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists) and Darcee Garbin (13 points) also had an excellent game.

On the other hand, for Kiwis, it was all about the Penina Davidson. The Melbourne Boomers forward scored 19 points, along with 11 rebounds.

The Opals players and coaches alike celebrated this significant achievement as they proudly claimed the bronze medal at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup tournament. It is their third consecutive third-place finish at this tournament.