Australia’s women’s basketball team has showed its class under pressure, outscoring Russia 50-18 in the second half to record a stirring 75-55 win and remain on track for a gold medal clash with the United States.
Physically challenged by the Russians in the first half, the Opals managed just 10 points in the second quarter and were 16 points down shortly before half-time, before going to the main break 12 points in arrears, 25-37.
But a few home truths at half-time turned the effort around and the Opals drew level midway through the third period and then started to pull away, pouring in 30 points and restricting the Russians to just 10, thanks to copybook defence all over the court.
Leading 55-47 at three-quarter time, the Australians more than went on with the defensive job in the last quarter, holding the Russians to only eight points while adding 20.
Lauren Jackson hit a pair of back-breaking three-pointers in the third-quarter surge and finished with 16 points (7-of-12), 14 rebounds and two blocks, Belinda Snell added 16 and nine, Penny Taylor contributed 12 points and four steals and Suzy Batkovic was again valuable on her way to nine points and 10 rebounds.
American-born guard Rebekka Linn Hammon was the leading scorer in the game with 20 points (8-of-11) but Svetlana Abrosimova was Russia’s only other effective offensive threat, adding 16 points to go with nine rebounds.
“When you look up at the scoreboard and see your dream slipping away, it motivates you,” Jackson explained.
“To be down like that was disappointing. We just stuck with it.”
The Opals will need to improve their shooting efficiency as the tournament progresses to the knock-out phase, as they put up 72 shots but hit just 27 (36%), and made just 4-of-22 (18%) three-point attempts.
They did hit the boards, once again collecting a staggering 23 offensive rebounds in their total of 53 (to Russia’s 36), and the 14 assists were a good sign from a team perspective.
“We’ve got a lot to work on. We can’t play like we did in the first half any more. We need more complete 40-minute games, not these 20-minute bursts,” Jackson said.
The victory ensures Australia of top place in Group A and allows them to avoid a clash with the USA until the gold-medal match.