The Opals' hopes of reaching the knockout stages successful Tokyo person been dealt a devastating stroke aft a heartbreaking nonaccomplishment against China.
After going into the last 4th successful an eight-point hole, a spirited fightback from Australia saw Jenna O'Hea necktie the scores astatine 74 with conscionable 2.1 seconds left.
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However, aft China took a timeout, Li Yueru was fouled nether the handbasket with 0.6 seconds near successful what looked to beryllium a precocious and arguable call. She calmly slotted some escaped throws to springiness China a 76-74 win.
O'Hea kept Australia live successful the last 4th 2 of her 3 triples successful the last infinitesimal of play, but her shooting heroics were incapable to rescue the Opals.
Ezi Magbegor led Australia with 15 points and 4 rebounds, portion Wang Siyu was unstoppable for China with 20 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists.
The Aussies mislaid WNBA prima Stephanie Talbot successful the 3rd quarter, aft she appeared to aggravate a ft injury.
Former Opal Tully Bevilaqua spoke for galore erstwhile she Tweeted: "Had to locomotion it disconnected ... americium wholly gutted for the Opals!! To beryllium decided connected that telephone truthful tough!! Proud of this team!!"
The nonaccomplishment leaves Australia needing a steadfast triumph implicit Puerto Rico successful its last radical signifier lucifer if it is to beforehand to the quarter-finals.
With an 0-2 grounds and a constituent differential of -17, the Opals indispensable inflict a dense decision connected Puerto Rico successful bid to suffice arsenic 1 of the 8 teams into the adjacent round.
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