George stars as Opals defeat Canada
A Cayla George bench cameo has woken the Opals from their Olympic slumber, with Australia handling Canada 70-65 to avoid a catastrophic early Games exit.
Australia, headlined by Flame #216 George, rid themselves of the bad habits that had cost them in a loss to Nigeria that five-time Olympic veteran Lauren Jackson labelled a disaster.
They were tidier on both ends as they took control of a tight contest in the second half.
SECURE YOUR WNBL25 MEMBERSHIPS NOW
Three-time Olympian George (11 points, three-of-four three-point attempts) was dynamic on Thursday in Lille, hitting a three-pointer with her first touch then earning an offensive foul on the next play to swing momentum her team’s way.
Another three-pointer and a crucial deflection that led to a turnover all but iced the contest before she fouled out in the final seconds.
Guard Sami Whitcomb (19 points, 10 assists and five rebounds) played the steadying hand as the world number three side looked a different squad to the one upset by Nigeria in a disastrous Games opener.
Sometimes it’s all about bringing it back to basics. 💁♀️
↳ Olympic Games Paris 2024. Every Event. Ad-free. Live & On Demand. Biggest Moments in 4K on Stan Sport.#StanSportAU #Olympics #AllezAus #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/LpaWgMzZ9y
— Stan Sport (@StanSportAU) August 1, 2024
The loss left Canada 0-2, the Opals are now able to top the pool, or at least guarantee a quarter-final berth in Paris with second place if they beat France in their final pool game on Sunday.
Ezi Magbegor also found foul trouble but still had 10 points in 15 minutes, while Steph Talbot (11 points, nine rebounds, six assists) and Marianna Tolo (11 points) stepped up in a replay of the 2022 World Cup bronze medal game won by Australia.
FLAMES’ EXCITING WNBL25 ROSTER NEARS COMPLETION
Jackson was scoreless after attempting three shots in almost nine minutes but proved a defensive presence, particularly after Magbegor found foul trouble and left the game early in the third term.
Canada led by five in the first half, but the world number five side’s inaccuracy at Pierre Mauroy Stadium cost them, shooting 31 per cent from within the arc.
Bridget Carleton did the heavy lifting for Canada, scoring 19 points on five-of-seven triples and adding eight rebounds and four assists.