Smith Continues to Shine for Opals
Australia’s women’s basketball team, the Opals, won the opening game of the Euroessonne Tournament in Paris this morning after narrowly defeating the Czech Republic 82-79.
The Opals recovered from a slow start to claim the win after a 24-15 third quarter.
Beijing Olympian Hollie Grima top-scored with 26 points while Eva Viteckova led the Czech Republic with 24.
The Czech team rattled the Opals with their fast and physical game in the first quarter and Australians were facing a nine point deficit at the first break.
The Opals came out firing in the third quarter led by Grima and took the lead for the first time in the game after putting pressure on the Czechs.
The Australians held on in the final term to take the three-point win.
Opals Head Coach Carrie Graf was pleased the team was able to fight back in the second half with high energy defence.
“It was a great performance by the Opals to come out with a win,” Graf said.
“They showed excellent intensity and focus and gritty determination to turn the game around.”
Australia 82 (H Grima 26, D Smith 13, A Bishop 10) bt
Czech Republic 79 (E Viteckova 24, P Koulichova 18, K Elhotova 7)
At the Arenes de l’Agora in Evry, Paris
Article & Photo from Basketball Australia
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