Captain Tess Madgen’s game-high 18 points and an Aussie third-quarter run proved to be the difference between the teams. They took a tied game at half-time and proceeded to outscore the host nation 25-16 in the third period.

"That was a medal game for us,” long-time teammate Cayla George said.

“We lose this, we're out. Win it by less than six, we're potentially a crossover with the USA (in the quarter-finals), which is what happened in Tokyo. Just so stoked to get the job done."

Tess got her night started with a three-pointer, knocking it down in front of her approving teammates on the bench, and backed it up, making two free throws for a 17-10 Opals lead.

But France closed the first quarter on a 7-2 run, ensuring Australia only led by two at the break.

The game remained neck-and-neck in the second period. The Opals gave up 10 turnovers in the first half and France was in the midst of a wayward shooting night, making two of their first 15 three point attempts.

Both teams traded blows for much of the third quarter but Australia pulled away late to take a nine-point lead into the fourth quarter.

France, facing an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter, signalled they wouldn’t go down easily.
Back-to-back threes by the hosts quickly closed the gap to five and prompted a Sandy Brondello timeout with 8:02 to play. France made another from distance and eventually pulled within a single point at 65-64 with 4:40 left on the clock.

Tess responded on the next possession with her final two points of the night and then had an assist for Cayla to sink a three-pointer to push the lead out to 70-64 with 3:48 to go.

Two free throws from Ezi Magbegor, a Sami Whitcomb basket and a Cayla mid-range jump shot made sure with 20 seconds to go that Australia held a comfortable six-point lead.

The supporting cast for Tess included Alanna Smith, who was unstoppable scoring around the basket. Ezi contributed 14 points and six rebounds, while Sami was excellent for the second-straight game with 12 points and five assists.

“We certainly do find our way when our backs are against the wall,” Cayla said.

“We really find out our true character.”

The Opals, like the Boomers, will meet Serbia in the quarter-finals. The Opals game will be played at 7pm AEST on Wednesday 7 August.

The Boomers will tip off their quarter-final game a day earlier, at 10:30pm AEST on Tuesday 6 August.

Jeff Dickinson-Fox