The Washington Mystics guard had the game of her life, but the Opals’ 44-31 rebounding advantage tipped the scales. Mystics guard Jade Melbourne dished 7 assists for the Opals and won the bronze medal.
The Belgium women’s national basketball team 85-81 to Australia on Sunday in Paris in the 2024 Olympics women’s basketball bronze medal match. This was also a matchup between one of the world’s rising powers against one of the world’s legacies.
Belgium was not in control for most of this game. They had a small lead in much of the first quarters, but the Opals were able to head into halftime with a 37-36 lead.
The Opals made a big run in the beginning of the third quarter to take a ten 10 points, but Julie Vanloo soon made five straight points to get the score down to 54-50. She continued to go off in the third to give the Cats a 61-60 lead at the end of the third and even made a three to begin the fourth quarter.
But the Cats got cold for much of the fourth quarter as the Opals were able to regain control and stay in the lead for threat of the contest.
First, I’m proud to see that Mystics guard Jade Melbourne got the start and dished 7 assists despite being scoreless for the Opals. She also finished by coming to back to D.C. with the bronze medal. In addition, center Lauren Jackson didn’t play, but she didn’t have to. Eli Magebgor scored 30 points and grabbed 13 rebounds that would make the Hall of Famer proud. The bronze medal is icing on the cake for Jackson and her long career.
For the Cats, Vanloo saved her best and left it out there on the floor. She ended up with 26 points and 11 assists while also playing 34 minutes to lead Belgium. Antonia Delaere played all 14 minutes and added 15 points for the CAts while shooting 6-of-10 from the field. And Emma Meesseman also added 23 points and 5 rebounds, though she only played 30 minutes. Besides Vanloo, Delaere and Meesseman, the Cats didn’t have anyone else score in double digits.
The Olympics are over for the Cats and Opals. We will see Vanloo and Melbourne back with the Mystics very soon, hopefully this week when the regular season continues.
Congratulations Opals on winning the bronze medal in the 2024 Olympics!