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Australian Opals vs Japan highlights: Olympics womens basketball scores, blog, result

11th August, 2016
Time: 6:45am AEST
Standings: Australian Opals first, Japan second
Coverage: Live, 7
After leading the way for decades, women's basketball in Australia needs a leg-up. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Roar Guru
11th August, 2016
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12323 Reads

Match result:

The Opals have continued their winning ways in Rio on Day 6 of competition, defeating a spirited Japan outfit by six points.

» Cambage shines as Opals produce stunning comeback against Japan

Entering the final quarter, it looked like a big upset was on the cards with the Australians down by as much as 16.

However, a blistering 32-15 final quarter performance from the Opals saw them sneak home in the dying seconds.

After playing just 15 minutes in their win against France, Elizabeth Cambage was the standout for Australia, completely dominating in the paint to rack up 37 points.

18 of her 37 points would come in the final quarter, as she individually outscored Japan (15 points in the final quarter) to see her side home.

Cambage’s performance in offence ranks as the third highest score by a woman at an Olympics and the most points scored in 28 years.

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The Opals face Belarus in their final group match on Monday.

Final score:
Australia 92
Japan 86

Match preview:

The Australian Opals will be searching for their fourth consecutive win in the group stage of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games when they face Japan. Join us here on The Roar for live scores from the match and a blog of the game, starting 6:45am (AEST).

After an emphatic 89-71 victory over France in their last fixture, Australia are looking more and more likely to contend for an Olympic medal.

Captain Penny Taylor was the star performer for the Opals, performing dominantly all over the court.

Taylor earned herself 31 points, five rebounds, three steals and nine assists, as well sinking all eight of her free-throw baskets.

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The Opals now sit atop Group A with six points, as they edge closer to topping the group altogether.

Australia have taken three wins from their first three matches so far – before France, it was host nation Brazil and Turkey that fell to the Opals.

They’re not in any risk of missing out on the knockout stage, but winning here would guarantee them the top spot in the pool and, theoretically, an easier route to the medal matches.

Sitting in second place and looking to dethrone the Opals is Japan.

After opening up their Olympics campaign with wins over Belarus and host nation Brazil, the Japanese momentum came to an end after they were outclassed by Turkey 76-62 in their last match.

Set to face their toughest opponents, Japan will be desperate to get back to their winning ways and prove that they too are medal contenders.

Prediction
In their current form, it will take something special to beat the Opals. Expect the Aussies to get the job done and go four from four.

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Australian Opals to win by 10

Join us here on The Roar for live scores from the match and a blog of the game, starting 6:45am (AEST).

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