An incredible performance from Issy Borlase has helped the Australian Opals progress with a 82 - 80 win over Italy.
Borlase absolutely cooked in the elimination final with 30 points and was a massive part in extending Australia to a 26-point lead.
Steph Talbot continued her unbelievable tournament with a 14 point, nine rebound game. Her steeliness continues to be the glue in this Opals unit.
It wasn't easy from there though. The Opals lost captain Ezi Magbegor who was subbed out with a leg injury in the first quarter. Jade Melbourne tried to overcome a flu but was rested.
As fatigue set in, Italy wore the Opals down to tie the scores with under a minute to play.
It was Borlase again with a slick pass to Zitina Aokuso for the go-ahead bucket with 20 seconds left. A crazy exchange of fouls and long-range buckets from the Azzurre ensued.
As time expired, a lay-up rolled around the rim in out to send the Opals to a quarterfinal vs Spain.
FIBA Match Centre and Boxscore available here.
Q1
We got another cracking start from Steph Talbot who immediately pierced holes in the Italian defense. Zitina Aokuso was brought in on an early shift to take the space away from Lorela Cubaj. She hit the scoring board instantly on a putback under the basket.
Jade Melbourne did her best to get up after 24 hours of battling a flu. Melbourne had one series before the coaches decided to rest her.
An even more devastating scenario became a reality halfway through the first quarter when Ezi Magbegor fell to the floor after a contested drive to the basket. Magbegor was helped off by trainers and did not return.
Despite being without their dynamic leader and firebrand point guard, Australia continued to be dominant. Notably, Issy Borlase proceeded to be dominant.
The Atlanta Dream youngster took the opportunity to cook Italy on look after look. The South Australian was brewing a career game with 12 points at the first break.
Q2.
The Opals aggressive play continued in the second and they started to run deep with increased minutes from Steph Reid and Miela Sowah.
Australia started to finesse the offense to great effect. They looked confident and fast getting into their sets.
And Issy Borlase continued to torment Italy.
First there was an incredible contested shot with an and one to go with it. The very next possession Talbot found Borlase in the corner and it sailed home for three more.
Then there was another full speed drive from Borlase caught France scrambling and she was sent to the free throw line. Issy dropped both to give Australia a 16 point lead with 2:25 to play in that half.
The Opals took a 44 – 33 lead into the half.
Q3.
The Opals lead quickly went 20+ with fast paced ball movement proving unstoppable for Italy.
When they shut down Borlase, Zitina Aokuso started to cook. A lot of Aokuso’s work happens in the background, setting up screens and marshalling the shape of the move.
Z started to do damage on scoreboard with two contested and one’s.
Three players down (Smith, Magbegor and Melbourne nonetheless), you could sense the fatigue start to catch the Opals. Italy attempted a comeback in the third but it was postponed with a buzzer beater three from Talbot.
Q4.
Italy kept coming in the fourth and the true character of the Opals was called upon. The lead was cut to 10 points with five minutes to play and all of a sudden the game narrowed to a heartstopper.
Chloe Bibby made a solid bucket. Italy responded with a three and then a nice layup to make it five. A timeout was called with 3:13 to play and the electricity lifted in the stadium.
Italy surged against a 10-woman Opals team to tie it up with a minute to go.
With a critical possession and a must make for the Opals in front of them. Who else could it have been but Isobel Borlase to find Aokuso on a classy pick and roll dish to put the Opals clear by two.
A critical out of play call went in the favour of Australia and Ally Wilson dropped both free throws on the foul.
The game somehow wasn’t done there. Italy ran it up and Matilde Villa landed a ridiculous 30+ foot three. Then fouled Borlase, who managed to sink one.
It all ended with a lay up by Italy rolling along the rim and out. Opals win by two points and progress to the quarterfinals.
