The Australian Opals will open their account in the Commonwealth Games tonight against a young Mozambique at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 9pm (AEST).
Some of the best female basketballers from across the globe in Townsville tonight as an expected comprehensive victory for the Opals awaits.
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Built on the back of star centre Liz Cambage, every WNBL club will be represented in the squad which sees an even spread of talent across its formation.
Although it remains to be seen how much time the whole team gets, the Opals will pride itself on experienced stars such as Belinda Snell and Stephanie Talbot, and three-time WNBL champion and hometown hero Cayla George looking to put on a show.
Mozambique have few stars such as power forward Ingvild Mucauro, perhaps a household name back home, but by no means recognisable in the Australian arena.
While they’re happy to be competing once again at the games, perhaps it’s more about pride and learning from the world’s best than winning games for the Mozambicans.
The FIBA ranking for the southern African nation is 26th, however at the only other occasion that basketball has featured at the Games in 2006, they finished in a respectable 5th, however a long way short of Australia’s gold.
Prediction
Aussies by 30+
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Opals’ opening match at the Commonwealth Games from 9:00pm (AEST).
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
Aussie Opals demoralise Mozambique on opening night of Commonwealth Games basketball The Australian Opals have smashed Mozambique to the tune of 60 points in their first preliminary matchup of the Commonwealth Games at Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre. While there was never any doubt about the end result 113-53, there was plenty to like about the Australians with every player getting on the scoresheet, led by susperstar Liz Cambage’s 24 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks. The Aussies led at every change blowing the scoreline out just seconds after tipoff with a fastbreak layup for Cambage setting the tone. Veteran Belinda Snell had 15 points with 3/3 from the arc, alongside Jenna O’Hea’s 14 points and 4/4 from outside in a scoring frenzy that spread throughout all four quarters. Cayla George had a great all-round game with 7 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. With a lead of 50-20 at half time, Australia kept the pace up despite the rotations scoring 36-14 in the third quarter and piling on 63 points total for the second half. With scoring already at a stretch thanks to a handy tall lineup, the Opals dominated the boards as well 48-29, and made sure that all players had decent court time with every player playing between 12 and 19 minutes to share the load among the team’s 36 assists. For Mozambique they can take positives from their performance with a young lineup on the court tonight with Deolinda Gimo scoring 18 points and Ingvild Mucauro with 10 points and 9 rebounds. The side will be better for the experience as they look to take positive energy from their last quarter (their best result only going down 27-19) into their next pool match against England on Sunday morning. Australia will have a real test against Canada in their next match on Sunday night — a team that fancies themselves for the gold medal for the Games’ big occasion.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Good stuff Damien. Huge win for the Opals. Great way to start.
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
Stay tuned for the post-match report: STATS: Aussies shot at 42/73 (58% FG) and 12/26 (46% 3PM), 48 rebounds, 36 assists, 13 steals, 10 blcoks, 11 Turnovers. AUS POINTS: Cambage 24, Snell 15, O’Hea 14. ASSISTS: George 5, George 5 REBOUNDS: George 11, Griffin 9 Cambage 8. Mozambique shooting at 12/57 (21% FG) and 5/18 (28% 3PM), 29 rebounds, 11 assists, 6 steals, 1 block, 17 turnovers. MOZ POINTS: Gimo 18, Mucauro 10, Cossa 7, ASSISTS: Zita 3, three players 2. REBOUNDS: Mucauro 9, Mafanla 4.
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
FULL TIME. THAT WILL DO IT! 0:00 Australia: 113 Mozambique: 53
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
0:24 – Seekamp gets another fastbreak with the assist from George. Australia: 113 Mozambique: 53
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
1:37 – It's like groundhog day. Oneli Mutombene makes one of two again at the stripe. Australia: 111 Mozambique: 53
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
1:48 – Talbot gets both shots in from the free throws. Australia: 111 Mozambique: 52
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
2:08 – Oneli Mutombene makes one of two again at the stripe. Australia: 109 Mozambique: 52
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
2:18 – Nicole Seekamp adds to her tally with a two. Australia: 109 Mozambique: 51
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
2:33 – Odelia Mafanela makes another one of two frees. Australia: 107 Mozambique: 51
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
3:02 – Onelia Mutombene makes one of two frees to take the nation to 50 points. Australia: 107 Mozambique: 50
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
3:17 – Ebzery with two more frees to add to her tally. Australia: 107 Mozambique: 49
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
3:34 – Gimo gets another foul, goes back and shoots two more. Australia: 105 Mozambique: 49
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
4:01 – Katie Ebzery responds for the Opals. Make that NOW all Aussies on the board. Australia: 105 Mozambique: 47
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
4:10 – Ingvild Mucauro draws a foul and makes two free throws. Australia: 103 Mozambique: 47
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
4:29 – O'Hea gets a two after a quieter second half. Australia: 103 Mozambique: 45
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
4:51 – Nicole Seekamp gets a 3 to put all players on the scoresheet. Great team effort. Australia: 101 Mozambique: 45
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
5:14 – Gimo gets another three for the visitors. She's been serviceable tonight. Australia: 98 Mozambique: 45
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
5:28 – Ezi Magbebor again. TWO. Australia: 98 Mozambique: 42
Damien Peck
Roar Guru
5:59 – Alice Kunek is added to the scorers as the spread continues. Australia: 96 Mozambique: 42