EMERGING OPALS INTO QUARTER FINALS
Strong performances from the WNBL contingent of the Emerging Opals has seen Australia advance to the quarter finals at the 2017 World Uni Games in Taipei.
With seven players from four WNBL teams, the Aussie women will be looking to maintain their form ahead of the 2017/18 WNBL season with the Emerging Opals fighting through some exciting and difficult match-ups.
The team took to the court with a solid performance against Lithuania to open the games, coming away with a 78-71 victory.
Backing up with a 69-47 victory against Argentina with multiple players sharing the scoring total, the Emerging Opals roster looked in sync.
It was not until a tough battle against the Russian Federation that the Emerging Opals came unstuck, suffering a close 58-63 loss in the last few minutes of the game.
JCU Townsville Fire’s representative Darcee Garbin has led the front court for the Emerging Opals with 14.3 points per contest over three games while playing 36 minutes against Russia.
Adding to the scoring tally, Lauren Scherf paced a three-player strong contingent from the University of Canberra Capitals with 19 points in the first game against Lithuania and eight points and seven rebounds against Argentina.
Fellow team mates Abbey Wehrung and Keely Froling both consistently added to the Australian scoring list, showing the Caps’ growing depth of talent.
While coming off the back of the Brydens Sydney Uni Flames championship win and dominating season, shooting guard Alex Wilson is averaging 11.3 points per game so far for the tournament which included a big three-pointer that almost stole the game for Australia against Russia.
Aimie Clydesdale from the MAC Adelaide Lighting has seen plenty of court time, averaging over 20 minutes and racking up double-figure scoring against Lithuania. Meanwhile, teammate Chelsea Brook, also secured points in the third match against Russia.
With the WNBL season fast approaching, the World Uni games has provided a great opportunity for the Emerging Opals to play on the world stage and they now look to their next contest against the United States in the Quarter-Final on Friday, August 25 at 7.30pm AEST.
The in-form USA have gone undefeated so far, with convincing victories over Czech Republic, Poland and Uganda.
The Emerging Opals will return home after the World Uni Games and head to their respective teams to begin preparations for the WNBL season which kicks off October 5 when the Jayco Dandenong Rangers host Deakin Melbourne Boomers.