The Seven Consulting Opals have produced a gritty comeback to defeat Japan 81–71 at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Istanbul.
Trailing for much of the contest, the Opals lifted defensively in the final quarter, holding Japan to just four points to seal the game.
Team captain and TCL Player of the Game Sami Whitcomb led the Opals with 17 points, knocking down four from the arc in typical Whitcomb fashion, while Ezi Magbegor added 14 points.
True to her form, Alanna Smith anchored the Opals’ defence with 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks, helping Australia dominate the glass with 51 rebounds total for the game.
Zitina Aokuso provided a spark off the bench with 10 points and seven rebounds, while Steph Talbot also made an important contribution with eight rebounds and two key three-pointers during the Opals’ late surge.
Whitcomb said the team’s resilience proved decisive after Japan put the Opals to work.
“We really liked the grit that we showed in that second half, in particular that fourth quarter,” Whitcomb said.
“Japan’s a great team and they made a really great run after I thought we started the game pretty well.
“Things weren’t going our way. We’d make a run and then they’d hit a couple of tough threes, but I thought we did a great job of hanging in there and fighting defensively.
“Talbs (Steph Talbot) hit a couple of really huge threes and that brought us back in.”
Head coach Sandy Brondello said the contest provided an important test for the Opals against a determined Japanese side.
“It was a great hit-out for us,” Brondello said.
“I explained to them that Japan were going to have some urgency because they need to win. They’re trying to qualify and do something big here.
“You’re not always going to have a great first half at a tournament, but we found some grit in that third quarter, and the group we had on the floor were elite defensively. Our defence created our offence, and that is our identity.”
The Opals will now enjoy a rest day before returning to the court on Saturday to face Hungary in Game 3 at 10:30pm AEDT.