Anonymous
Years ago
Opals blitz as Australia brings best to Bendigo
Opals blitz as Australia brings best to Bendigo
10 Jun, 2010 04:00 AM
THE Jayco Australian Opals brought their best to Bendigo last night, producing a dominant performance to defeat Japan 98-63.
The Opals had a significant height advantage over their Japanese opponents, with Australia's tallest player Liz Cambage (203cm) standing 18cm taller than Japan’s tallest forward Risa Kawamura (185cm).
Australia had a strong start as Holly Grima and Laura Summerton both scored in the first minute of play.
The Japanese team stayed in touch early, with an on-line three-point shot from Yoshie Sakurada giving the visitors some momentum.
Bendigo’s Kristi Harrower got among the play early, with a long pass through traffic finding Jenna O’Hea under the post.
And guard Erin Phillips was dynamic early, scoring seven points in less than five minutes in the opening quarter to give the Opals a 15-point lead (35-20) at the first break.
The Japanese team struggled under the post in the second term, with Opals centres Cambage and Mariana Tolo claiming the majority of rebounds at both ends.
Japan stepped up its defence on Cambage under the post, which created a number of opportunities for top-scorer Sakurada early in the second term.
Japan’s inaccuracy then cost the team dearly, with O’Hea, Phillips and Carly Wilson all capitalising on Japan’s lost opportunities to stretch out their half-time lead to 56-34.
Japan struggled to contend with the Opals’ firepower in the second half, with Phillips, Wilson, Harrower, O’Hea and Cambage all posting points in double figures.
Phillips and O’Hea were among the Opals’ best with accurate shooting as well as defensive pressure down the court.
Japan’s Sakurada was the standout for her team, scoring 24 points and nailing four three-point shots.
Speaking after the match, Kristi Harrower said she was thrilled with the Opals performance on her home court at Bendigo Stadium.
"We had a young group here, but for the Bendigo crowd to come out and see international basketball, it was fantastic," she said.
“We had a target to keep Japan under 65 points and we did that. We’re building though and we haven’t been together long, but tonight’s performance was really good.”
The match was sponsored by V/Line and the Go for your Life campaign.
Leading stats from last night’s game:
Opals - Elizabeth Cambage (17 points, 15 rebounds), Erin Phillips (14 points, 5 rebounds), Jenna O’Hea (12 points, 6 rebounds).
Japan - Yoshie Sakurada (24 points, 2 rebounds, 5 turnovers), Ryoko Utsumi (11 points).
The Opals will play Japan at The Arena near Geelong from 8pm tonight.
The final leg in the three-match series between Australia and Japan will be played from 8pm tomorrow at Dandenong Stadium.
