The Seven Consulting Opals kicked off their international run with a 72 – 70 triumph over China in Benxi City in Game One of the China Tour.
Australia’s Opals found edge from long range, particularly in the first half finishing the game 7 – 17 from beyond the arc.
They took a physical brand into the game represented with 27 total fouls – however the Chinese team couldn’t capitalise from an abundance of free throw opportunities.
Lauren Jackson continued her imposing run from the WNBL into Opals duties with 17 points and six rebounds. Jackson looks up for the challenge and will take confidence from her the opening performance into Shenyang.
Isobel Borlase was clean with 6 – 10 from the field and two threes. This included a big time shot in a 9-point unanswered run from the Opals to retake the lead in the fourth.
Maddy Rocci played a massive part to close China’s six-point buffer in the fourth – finishing with 8 points from 4 – 6 from the field.
Captain Tess Madgen finished with 5 points – 6 assists and Darcee Garbin 6 points – 3 rebounds.
Opals 72 – 70 China | Benxi City, Liaoning Province, China
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |
| AUS | 18 | 42 | 59 | 72 |
| CHN | 20 | 42 | 65 | 70 |
|
Player |
MIN |
PTS |
REB |
AST |
BLK |
STL |
|
Tess Madgen* |
18:32 |
5 |
2 |
6 |
0 |
1 |
|
Cayla George* |
23:53 |
3 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Lauren Jackson* |
22:28 |
17 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Alice Kunek* |
13:12 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Stephanie Reid* |
13:59 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Isobel Borlase |
21:01 |
14 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Maddy Rocci |
19:10 |
8 |
4 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Zitina Aokuso |
17:51 |
7 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Georgia Amoore |
15:46 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Darcee Garbin |
13:52 |
6 |
3 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Lauren Nicholson |
12:44 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Chloe Bibby |
6:47 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
* starters
The Seven Consulting Opals continued a strong start to their international schedule – holding out against China to claim a 80 – 72 victory in Game Two of the China Tour.
Australia’s rebound game set up the offense for success – led by Cayla George who brushed off a quiet performance in the opener. George finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds
Zitina Aokuso was a problem for the Chinese team in the first half with 14 points and 7 – 8 shooting. Aokuso finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and two assists
Maddy Rocci was solid with ball in hand finishing with 11 points and four assists. Izzy Borlase had eight points including 2-2 from three point range.
The series goes to the final game of the tour in Shenyang City again on 2 June.
Opals 80 – 72 China | Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |
| AUS | 27 | 49 | 66 | 80 |
| CHN | 15 | 33 | 55 | 72 |
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BLK | STL |
| Tess Madgen* | 20:57 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Cayla George* | 25:38 | 15 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Maddy Rocci* | 25:43 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Lauren Jackson* | 14:01 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Isobel Borlase* | 24:05 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Zitina Aokuso | 21:27 | 20 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Lauren Nicholson | 19:38 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Alice Kunek | 15:48 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Darcee Garbin | 13:04 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Stephanie Reid | 7:38 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Georgia Amoore | 6:27 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Chloe Bibby | 5:34 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
* starters
The Seven Consulting Opals fell short 68 – 75 in Game Three against China but gained invaluable insights with some different looks on the court.
Australia opted to rest veterans Lauren Jackson and Tess Madgen with Cayla George, Steph Reid, Lauren Nicholson, Darcee Garbin and Alice Kunek starting on deck.
The Opals prioritised working the ball into the paint and Zitina Aokuso benefitted from the supply. Aokuso finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
The dangerous scoring ability of Izzy Borlase was on full display with the South Australian finishing with 17 points from 7 – 12.
George continued her dominance on the boards with 10 rebounds alongside 10 points. Lauren Nicholson finished with seven points, three assists. Steph Reid had seven points and five assists.
The Opals finish the international tour of friendlies against China at 2 – 1 and look towards the next opportunity against Japan for the Mitsui Fudosan Cup from 20 – 21 June.
Opals 68 – 75 China | Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, China
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | |
| AUS | 20 | 39 | 51 | 68 |
| CHN | 17 | 33 | 58 | 75 |
| Player | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | BLK | STL |
| Cayla George* | 28:06 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Lauren Nicholson* | 28:09 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Darcee Garbin* | 15:00 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Alice Kunek* | 16:56 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stephanie Reid* | 22:22 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Isobel Borlase | 27:39 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Zitina Aokuso | 24:24 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Maddy Rocci | 17:47 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Chloe Bibby | 12:30 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Georgia Amoore | 7:07 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tess Madgen | 0:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lauren Jackson | 0:00 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
* starters