Jade Melbourne’s Opals come out with a win though she was limited. Aaliyah Edwards played significant minutes for Canada, but they are now at risk of missing the quarterfinals.
The Australia women’s national basketball team defeated Canada, 70-65 on Thursday in Lille.
With both teams coming into today’s contest winless, they needed to win this one to significantly increase their chances of making the quarterfinals. It was the Opals who answered the bell today. Though they were behind at some points in the first half, they were in control for most of the game and never trailed in the second half, gradually building their lead into double digits by the fourth quarter though Team Canada was able to cut the deficit some by the game’s closing minutes.
Sami Whitcomb led the Opals with 19 points. Washington Mystics guard Jade Melbourne added 4 more and got the start.
For Team Canada, Bridget Carlton led with 19 points. Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards scored 4 points off the bench.
The Opals will face off against France on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET in their last group stage game. Canada will face Nigeria on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET. We’ll see if one or both of these teams move into the quarterfinals. See you then.