BASKETBALL: The Australian Women's Basketball Team have advanced to the Quarter Finals in emphatic fashion, crushing Belarus 87-45 to finish top of Group C at the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women in Turkey overnight.
In arguably their most complete performance of the tournament to date, the Australians were brilliant on the defensive end, holding their opponents to 30% shooting and forcing 26 turnovers.
Australian Head Coach Brendan Joyce praised the defensive intensity and discipline of his players throughout the opening three games.
“Credit to the players they can defend,” Joyce said.
“We’re really happy to get the three wins, move into the top eight and now we start preparing for that quarter final.
“I’m really happy for the team that they don’t have to play that extra game and they get that extra recovery, which will ensure we’re fresh going into the next game.”
It was a signature Australian start to the game as Erin Phillips and Rachel Jarry set the tone for what would be a one-sided affair thanks largely to an eye-catching defensive display.
Continuing on from her impressive showings against Cuba and Korea, Phillips had her best game of the World Championships, filling the stat sheet on seven points, five rebounds, seven assists (game-high) and six steals (game-high).
It was an outstanding performance from Jarry, with the 22-year-old compiling a game-high 19 points on a remarkable 15-of-16 from the free throw line, getting just reward for her aggressive play.
All 12 players got on the score sheet for Australia for the second consecutive game, with Penny Taylor (12 points and four rebounds), Marianna Tolo (10 points) and Natalie Burton (eight points and six rebounds) among the leaders.
The 42-point triumph sees the Australians secure top place in Group C after three victories by an average winning margin of 36 points.
As the group winner, the team advances directly to the Quarter Final stage where they will face the victor of the Round of 16 clash between the Czech Republic and Canada on Friday night (AEST).
On the same side of the draw is the USA who also progressed easily to the Quarter Finals. Spain and Turkey on the other side of the draw also won their pools.
All of the Australian games will be played live and in full on ABC2.
Basketball Australia
