It was another strong win for Australia’s Opals at the Commonwealth Games, defeating Canada by 39 points.
Final score
Australia 100
Canada 61
The Australian Opals might have started their Commonwealth Games campaign off in perfect fashion, but in what could be a preview of the tournament final, things won’t be quite so easy when they take on Canada in Townsville. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 6:30pm (AEST).
The sides are both considered to be in the top five in the world, and the top two at the Commonwealth Games by a considerable distance.
Given the tournament structure, this will be similar to the men’s game between Australia and New Zealand last night in that the winner will book top spot in the group and both will qualify for the semi-final stage of the tournament automatically regardless.
While on paper, it probably doesn’t mean a great deal, the winner will have a much-needed momentum boost heading into a likely gold medal game later in the tournament.
Both sides kicked off their campaign with big wins, Australia smacking Mozambique by 60 points, while Canada got the better of England by 26.
The Canadians weren’t at their best against England and have improvement left in them, but playing a team like the Opals will bring out the best in them one would expect.
With forward Alex Kiss-Rusk pulling down nine rebounds throughout the game, the key battle here looks as if it’ll be between her, teammate centre Ruth Hamblin and their ability to control Australia’s Liz Cambage.
She was a monster against Mozambique, scoring 24 points and dominating on the glass alongside Cayla George, who had 11 rebounds.
The pair were dominant and while Australia may need more creativity in attack to get over the top of the North American outfit, their brilliant attacking weapons all over the floor should allow them to go into this match as favourites.
Prediction
This is a really tough game to tip. Canada were strong against England and should be better for the run, but the Opals are among the best in the world. They should, with home court advantage, manage to pick up the win.
Australia by 5.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of women’s basketball at the Commonwealth Games from 6:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Kylie Bolton
Guest
Cannot believe the game between Australia and Canada was not shown on tv?? WTF not everyone has the ability to watch it on a device !
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining me today for The Roar's live coverage of the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Hopefully you enjoyed it. Elsewhere around the site, we have swimming, netball and hockey on this evening. Be sure to check it out. I'll be live tomorrow at 10:30am (AEST) for Day 5 of the swimming heats.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME Buzzer beater for Australia and they will bring up the hundred! They win this one by 39 points in a dominant showing which will give them plenty of momentum and confidence for the rest of the tournament ahead of a likely match in the medal games against Canada. Australia - 100 Canada - 61
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Lovely work from Blicavs who goes through the lane and scores off the glass. 60 seconds to go. Australia - 98 Canada - 58
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' Australia have ran up some more points here, getting out in transition nicely. They could well reach a century with 80 seconds to go. Australia - 96 Canada - 58
Scott Pryde
Expert
Apologies folks, just having a few issues with the stream. Fair to say, there's not a great deal going on. Game is over virtually.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Timeout on the floor. Australia - 85 Canada - 51
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Magbegor to the free throw line and she makes one. Australia - 85 Canada - 51
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Australia - 84 Canada - 51
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 6' More or less into garbage time now, which is a good word for what's being dished up on the court at the moment, frankly. Canada with a shot clock violation now. Australia - 75 Canada - 47
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 8' Cambage makes both. Australia - 73 Canada - 44
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 8' Canada score, then Cambage draws a foul. Australia - 71 Canada - 44
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 9' Cambage with a long range two now Australia - 71 Canada - 42
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 9' Canada start the final quarter in possession. Hamblin spins into the lane and misses, but draws the foul on Cambage. Hamblin misses at the line, but Canada get the offensive board through Kiss-Rusk. They turn it over though. Australia - 69 Canada - 42
Scott Pryde
Expert
THREE QUARTER TIME Canada through Nofalunte, then it's Traer firing for three, but that's no good. Australia will hold for the final shot of the quarter. They go in, then a pass to Cambage is turned over and Canada can't make anything happen. A better quarter for Canada. They are down by 27 with ten minutes to go. Australia - 69 Canada - 42
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q3 0' Traer at the free throw line here. She makes both. Australia - 69 Canada - 42
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q3 1' Timeout on the floor. Australia - 69 Canada - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q3 1' A turnover for Canada, a miss for Australia and Bailey will slow things up here for the visitors. A shot from Masikewich and that's no good. Australia - 69 Canada - 40
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q3 2' Canada through Traer and she fires an air ball. Blicavs at the other end won't make any mistake on a wide open three! Australia - 69 Canada - 40