The Australian women’s basketball team, the Opals, will enter the quarter final stage of the 2006 FIBA women’s world basketball championship with the top seeding and full of confidence after they defeated Argentina 83-49 in Sao Paulo, Brazil today.

Lauren Jackson starred for Australia with an effortless 30 points, four rebounds and two steals in just 20 minutes of play. Hollie Grima and Belinda Snell each had 10 points in support.

Argentina’s Natalia Rios had 14 points and three assists.

Opals starting point guard Kristi Harrower sat out the game due to an upset stomach, but the team continued on undaunted in their march to the gold medal game.

Australia led 21-10 after one quarter and by half time they had a 15 point lead, 41-26. They did not ease off and by three-quarter time the Australians were sitting pretty with a 25-point lead, 63-38.

With Australia’s star players taking a well earned rest, the Opals’ bench players took over in the fourth quarter and powered home to victory by 34 points.

The win was the Opals’ sixth straight and with 3 games remaining in the tournament they are the hottest prospect to knock off Team USA, the championship favourite.

The Opals quarter final game will be played at 4:15am on Thursday morning (AEST) against defending world championship silver medallist Russia, who have had a surprisingly poor tournament.

No injuries were reported for the Australians with Harrower expected to play against Russia.

Basketball Australia