The game was tight all night with the Opals struggling to restrict Japan from scoring. After their defeat in game one of the three game series, the Japanese team brought a more physical approach to game two, to combat Australia’s towering height. The Opals strong defence eventually overwhelming their ambitious opponents with 51-24 rebounds, Liz Cambage with 12.
Rising star Jenna O’Hea, from WNBL side the Bulleen Boomers, looked more than comfortable on the international stage as the games’ top scorer with 25 points with 9/9 from the free throw and eight rebounds.
O’Hea’s drive to the basket in the first quarter (seven points) was matched by Japan’s Risa Kawamura (six points) who was providing her team with options in attack, while Yoshie Sakurada brought the speed down the court. At quarter time the game was tied 20-20.
An impressive shot from the field by Yoko Nagi wowed the Geelong locals, before a quick counter attack from the Opals, including a three point swoosh by Kristi Harrower and an O’Hea basket again brought the crowd to life.
The Opals hit the lead half way through the second as Japan began to miss baskets and found the ball quickly returned to the Australian’s key. ‘Bigs’ Cambage, Hollie Grima and Marianna Tolo set the play coming out of defence to lead 46-38 at half time.
Japan kept the Opals within reach throughout the 3rd quarter, with momentum changing sides constantly; the lead being 10 points to the Opals at the end of the quarter. The Opals strong rebounding became a feature of their play as they lifted their intensity heading into the last.
Despite controlling the game on the scoreboard, Opals coach Carrie Graf felt the team still had a few areas to work on leading into the World Championships, admitting that 82 points was more than the team had wanted to concede. Despite this, Graf was happy with the opportunity to look at emerging talent that would be in the mix for Opals selection for the World Championships.
The Jayco Opals play their final game of the series at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium, 8:00pm on the 11th of June.
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Final Scores:
1: AUS 20 – JPN 20
2: AUS 26 – JPN 18 (46-38)
3: AUS 20 – JPN 17 (66-55)
4: AUS 26 – JPN 27 (92-82)
Scorers:
AUS: J O’Hea 25, L Summerton 15, H Grima 12
JPN: Y Nagi 20, R Kawamura 17, Y Sakurada 14
At the Geelong Arena, 8pm
Attendance: 1523
By Tikali Nicholls
Photo courtesy of Melissa Sudero.
