The Australian Women's Basketball Team has been defeated by China 90-84 in the second match of their three-game series in Anshan, China.

Abby Bishop top-scored for the Opals with 15 points, Kathleen MacLeod added 14 points and Liz Cambage 13, while China's Bian Lan led all scorers with 27 points.

China was quick to take the lead and was strong on the boards giving the side plenty of possession.

The Opals lost Beijing Olympian Emma Randall to injury in the first quarter, impacting their ability to hit the boards hard and China continued to dominate throughout the first half, establishing a 10-point lead.

While Bian Lan was exceptional and constantly drawing fouls from the Aussie defence, the Opals hung on in the third quarter but were still trailing at the final break.

The fourth quarter saw Bishop and Rohanee Cox take charge, driving hard to the basket and coming up with some big plays to inspire their teammates. Soon the game was within one point and Australia were playing with renewed confidence.

In the end the Opals high foul count put China to the line too many times and the lead drew out once more. In the post match press conference Opals Coach Carrie Graf said, "It was another physical contest and the problem tonight for the Opals was the rebounding in the first half. Being down 22-8 rebounds, it is always going to be hard to come back from that start."

Graf praised young talent Liz Cambage, the 17-year-old, who in only her second game for the Opals sunk 13 points and took nine rebounds.

"She has got a bright future and it is exciting to watch her play," Graf said.

Cambage agreed with Graf that the Opals need to make an impact on the boards.

"We'll definitely come out stronger next game and get on the boards," Cambage said.

"We've had one win and one loss now so we've really got to pick it up and give it to China."

With Australia winning the first game 73-72 on Friday, the series is now tied heading into the third and deciding game in the city of Fuxin in Liaoning Province on Tuesday night at 7.30pm local time.

Meanwhile, the Australian men will face-off against world No.1 Argentina as they tune-up for clashes with New Zealand for the Oceania Championship in August.

In a busy year for the world No.9 rated Boomers, they'll go into camp next month ahead of a two-match series away to China.

After another camp the Boomers will then tour South America in July-August, playing tournaments in Argentina and Brazil against the host nations and Uruguay.

Argentina still hold the top ranking above the US, despite the Americans winning Beijing Olympics gold.

The South American team finished third in China but had taken out the 2004 crown in Athens and were second at the 2002 World Championship.

The matches are expected to provide a solid grounding for the Australians who will look to claim the Oceania Championship against the Kiwis to ensure the No.1 seeding at the 2010 World Championship in Turkey.

Australia will play New Zealand in Sydney on August 23 then in Wellington on August 25.

The Boomers then depart for Kunshan, China, to contest the Boris Stankovic Cup against Turkey, Angola and the host nation.

New Boomers head coach Brett Brown said the 2009 campaign was a vital stepping stone to the 2010 World Championship.  

Basketball Australia