3X3 BASKETBALL: Australia have completed the pool stage of the 3x3 World Cup but fallen just short of a Quarter-Final berth after a defeat of Japan was followed by an overtime loss to the Netherlands on day 2 competition.

Held in Nantes, France, Australia sent a WNBL-calibre roster to the tournament with Amelia Todhunter, Rebecca Cole, Nadeen Payne and Carley Mijovic representing the country.

In the fast-paced style of 3x3, games are played for ten minutes or until the first team hits 21 with regular two-pointers counting for just one and shots from beyond the arc counting for two.

Australia v Japan

Against a smaller Japanese team, Amelia Todhunter got Australia started with a put-back off a Rebecca Cole miss and Todhunter then grabbed a steal off the ensuing pass before feeding Cole for two easy lay-ups.

Their defence held strong throughout the opening minutes, restricting their opponents to just one point inside the first 3:30 but following a time-out, Japan were able to find their way to the rim and make it a 4-3 game.

That would be the closest Japan would get though as Australia responded with a nine-point run including a deep two-pointer from Cole while Payne and Mijovic began to dominate on the glass and give their team some important second chance opportunities.

Japan reached their foul limit with two minutes remaining, giving the Aussies a couple of easy points from the free-throw line as they ran out 18-8 victors.

Australia v Netherlands

Back on the court less than three hours later, Australia needed a victory over the pool leaders and third ranked team in the world, the Netherlands, to advance to the Quarter-Finals.

It was a physical encounter from the start but in an almost carbon copy of their first game, the Aussies opened with brilliant defensive acts from Todhunter who forced three turnovers inside the first 40 seconds.

Cole then drove to the hoop and finished with contact, helping Australia to a 5-0 start as Mijovic also hustled for a basket.

Netherlands finally hit the scoreboard after 3:20 which triggered three straight points before Mijovic halted the run with a two-pointer.

A two-pointer from the Netherlands tied the game but their physical play put them into foul trouble which Cole was able to take advantage of, giving the Aussies a 10-8 lead.

Netherlands began to find their range though and a big two-pointer inside the final minute gave them their first lead of the contest which they extended to two on the next possession.

Todhunter came up big with a two-pointer of her own though, forcing the game into overtime as neither side was able to answer in the last ten seconds.

Per FIBA 3x3 rules, the first team to score two points in the extra period wins and off a defensive rebound, Karin Kuijt found herself wide open for a long-range bomb to knock Australia out in devastating fashion.

Results from the opening day

On the opening day of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup, Australia have split their two games with a victory over China following a loss to Ukraine.

Australia v Ukraine

The Aussies went with a line-up of Todhunter, Cole and Mijovic (the tallest player in the women's competition) to start their first contest against last year’s silver medallists.

It took a minute for the teams to figure each other out but Cole was able to fly to the rim for a lay-up to get Australia on the scoreboard first.

Ukraine answered with a bomb from beyond the arc but Cole hit a reverse lay-up as her first quick step proved difficult for the Ukrainians to cover.

Australia's hustle on the boards kept the margin close and Cole was able to knock down a deep two-pointer as she provided most of the early offence but Ukraine began to get their two-point game going as well.

Back-to-back long-range shots gave Ukraine a 15-9 edge and while Australia continued to fight for loose balls and utilise their height advantage through Mijovic and Payne, Ukraine's hot shooting proved to be the Aussies undoing.

Clinching the game from the free-throw line, they capped off a 21-12 victory to prove they are once again one of the teams to beat this year.

Australia v China

Just a couple of hours later, Australia were back on court for their second game of the day against China who were playing their first match of the tournament and Mijovic set the tone with a huge rejection under the rim on China's first possession.

Cole then found her following after an offensive rebound for an easy score and Mijovic capped off an impressive minute with a two-pointer to give the Aussies the momentum.

Australia's defensive intensity caused havoc for China with Todhunter picking her opponent's pocket and then blocking her on a lay-up attempt but that aggressiveness did allow their opposition to convert a couple of shots from the free-throw line.

Cole responded with a two-pointer though before Payne established herself in the key with three quick baskets to open up a healthy 10-3 advantage.

Mijovic then caught fire to officially put the game to bed, hardly moving from her spot on two consecutive possessions as she drilled back-to-back two-pointers.

With 1:50 remaining, Cole finished off the contest from the free-throw line as Australia prevailed 21-7 in a strong performance heading into their next games on Day 3.

Basketball Australia