Liz Cambage leads Opals to opening victory over Nigeria at World Cup
THE Australian Opals will take on Argentina at the women’s basketball World Cup bolstered by a winning start to their campaign for gold in Spain.
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THE Australian Opals will take on Argentina at the women’s basketball World Cup on Sunday night (AEST) bolstered by a winning start to their campaign for gold in Spain.
With newly elected captain Jenna O’Hea sidelined for the game with a calf injury and multiple player changes in the lead in to the event due to injury, the Opals still opened their world championship campaign with a 86-68 victory over Nigeria.
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Liz Cambage proved the difference for the Australians, scoring 20 points in the first half and ending the game with 34 points, four blocks and 12 rebounds.
Her tally was just three points short of her Opals scoring record of 37 which she achieved at the Rio Olympics.
“I don’t keep track of [my scoring records], I just go out and try and do my job,” Cambage told FIBA.basketball after the game.
“You know, we have to get used to these rims, they are new rims so they are a bit bouncy, but it will come as the tournament comes along.”
While Cambage stood out on the score sheet, the Opals finished with nine players on the scoreboard with contributors including Bec Allen (nine points) along with Ezi Magbegor, Tess Madgen and late call-up Sami Whitcomb who all chipped in eight points each.
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Next on the schedule for the Opals, who became the first Australian team to win a World Cup back in 2006, is Argentina on Sunday night and then Turkey on Tuesday.
Matches will be broadcast on Fox Sports.
If Australia wins group B they will automatically advance to the quarter-finals.