AUS/NZL – Jackson leads Opals within sight of Turkey
AUCKLAND (FIBA Oceania Championship for Women) - Thanks to a dominant performance from Opals legend Lauren Jackson, Australia are just 40 minutes away from a place at the FIBA World Championship for Women in Turkey next year.
Jackson was superb both inside and out on her way to 22 points and nine rebounds as the Opals shook off a determined New Zealand to triumph 66-50 at the North Shore Events Centre in Auckland.
"It’s a process with Lauren," Opals coach Brendan Joyce said.
"She’s had nine months off after a serious injury, but she’s giving it 100 per cent and she knows where she needs to be in a year."
Aggressive point guard Natalie Hurst (12 points, 5 rebounds) showed her worth to new coach Brendan Joyce, while for New Zealand veteran Toni Edmondson put on a brilliant display with 18 points and six boards.
The Opals started the fastest, jumping to a 7-2 lead after three minutes, five points from Jackson spreading the defence, particularly in transition.
But the athletic Edmondson nailed eight quick points to bring her team back into the game, combining with New Zealand’s scrambling defence – which forced eight turnovers for the period – to keep the deficit to four at the first break.
With youngster Penina Davidson matching Edmondson’s aggression the Kiwis hung close in the second, only back-to-back triples from Jackson and another from fellow Olympian Belinda Snell keeping the Opals at arm’s length, 34-26 at half-time.
After the break the young Tall Ferns’ concentration - which had been impressive in the opening 20 minutes - dropped away, cheap turnovers and offensive rebounds allowing the Opals to dominate possession and extend the lead into double figures.
"There was a lot of upside to that game, but I don’t want anyone to think we’re happy with losing," Tall Ferns coach Kennedy Kereama said.
"Our kids played with a lot of physicality and pride, but we had some crucial moments where we really hurt ourselves and the beginning of the third quarter was an obvious example."
The Aussies then shut the game down in the final term, holding New Zealand scoreless for six minutes to secure their 16-point victory.
New Zealand must now top that winning margin in the second game in Canberra on Sunday (18 August) to earn a place at Turkey 2014.
