Opals beat Serbia at Basketball World Cup: Aussie stars bloodied, taken off in wheelchair

The Opals claimed a crucial win over Serbia at the basketball World Cup, but the victory was soured by a brutal injury to a key star.

Bec Allen and Sami Whitcomb were battered and bruised.

The Opals have defeated Serbia 69-54 on Sunday to boost their hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds of the women’s basketball World Cup — but the victory may have come at a cost.

Australia exacted revenge of sorts against their recent rival, who knocked the Opals out of the Rio Olympics and beat them again at the qualifying tournament earlier this year.

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The Aussies had a comfortable halftime lead but Serbia roared back from 18 points down to give the Opals a scare with some excellent shotmaking.

But the home side settled and showed strong defensive hustle to close out a comfortable win.

The victory was soured by an injury scare to Opals star Bec Allen, who had 16 points but pulled up gingerly after two separate incidents.

Allen came off with an ankle concern but returned to the court before copping a nasty hit to her back and hip area that left her wincing in pain.

She was helped from the court and left the Sydney Superdome in a wheelchair. Coach Sandy Brondello said Allen was “crushed” in the ribs during the play.

Opals star Bec Allen. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Allen likely suffered broken ribs against Serbia. Photo: Twitter.

Allen likely suffered broken ribs and Brondello said she might miss a game or two.

The Opals have 24 hours to recover before they next face Canada on Monday night and they will be sweating on Allen’s fitness.

It was a bruising encounter against Serbia and Australia’s Sami Whitcomb copped a stray knock to the face and appeared to suffer a broken nose that left her bleeding.

Play had to be stopped so her blood could be wiped off the court.

Sami Whitcomb got hit in the face and still managed to come up with the steal on the defensive end. Looks like she's bleeding on the bridge of her nose.

— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) September 25, 2022

If there’s a two-second video that sums up Sami Whitcomb, it’s this one.
Nose bleeding, medics trying to stop the bleeding, STILL time to celebrate!
Absolute star.#FIBAWWCpic.twitter.com/CelwsSWUVh

— Hayley Wildes (@wildes_hayley) September 25, 2022

Sami Whitcomb has been massive in every facet of the game tonight.

— Peter Hooley (@PeterHooley12) September 25, 2022

But Whitcomb brushed off the painful blow post-game.

“Yeah it’s fine,” she told ESPN.

“It probably doesn’t look great. It’s fine, it’s just a scratch.”

Australia’s FIBA World Cup campaign got off to a shaky start with an opening loss to France, but the back-to-back wins over Mali and Serbia has put the Opals back on track for the knockout stages.

The tournament hosts will be aiming to defeat Canada and Japan in their remaining group stage matches to avoid facing powerhouses the USA and China in the quarterfinals.

Watch every game of the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Live & Free on ESPN with Kayo Freebies. Register now, no credit card required.

Lauren Jackson of Australia and Cayla George celebrate the Opals’ win over Serbia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)