Opals bounced into bronze medal play-off by USA
The Opals will play for bronze after their latest effort to unseat the all-conquering Americans was swatted away in a 85-64 semi-final loss.
Australia had their moments but were no match for the Americans’ physicality and athleticism around the rim, Opals tumbling to the pine a common sight on Friday at the Bercy Arena.
Their Olympic head-to-head record now reads 9-0 and the US are on a 60-match Games streak as they seek an eighth-straight title on Sunday.
Only twice on that run, since 1992, have they won by less than 10 points.
Jackie Young (14 points) and A’ja Wilson (10 points, eight rebounds) started well before two-time Olympic champion Breanna Stewart (16 points, six rebounds, five assists) took over.
Captain Tess Madgen (10) held her own while 19-year-old Isobel Borlase (11 points) impressed when given the chance in the final quarter.
There was plenty of feeling in it for an Opals side coached by New York Liberty boss Sandy Brondello and boasting seven current WNBA players in the side, plus former league great and Hall of Famer Lauren Jackson.
But they were shaky to begin, six turnovers and three blocked shots allowing the US to race out by 10 points in the first five minutes.
Madgen steadied with five quick points and an expert Sami Whitcomb assist to a cutting Jade Melbourne got them within two points approaching quarter time.
Lauren Jackson’s first-quarter injection, mostly to guard Brittney Griner, also seemed to spark the side as confidence swelled.
It was promptly eaten up by the US though, who denied any good Australia looks to began the second quarter and racked up 14-straight points to put the game to bed just minutes into that period.
Jewell Lloyd’s triple made it 30-16, Cayla George nailing a triple in front of the spectating US men’s stars Kevin Durant and Bam Adebeyo a rare highlight of a 25-11 quarter.
The Opals tried to attack the rim but were constantly shut down, bouncing off stationary US bodies and unable to earn a free throw until the final quarter.
The Americans bossed the boards, winning rebounds 46-34 and points in the paint 44-28.
The loss busted a brilliant three-game winning streak that had resuscitated the Opals after a horror first-up defeat to Nigeria.
They’ll play the winner of France and Belgium in Sunday’s bronze medal game.
Australia is chasing a return to the podium for the first time since 2012, when they clinched a fifth-straight minor placing in London.
Jackson, 43 and in her fifth Olympic campaign, received post-game hugs from her US rivals and retired US soccer star Megan Rapinoe, who was among the stars sitting courtside.
#Opals #bounced #bronze #medal #playoff #USA