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06 - 20
August 2016
9 Natalie Burton (AUS), 4 Tessa Lavey (AUS)
13/08/2016
Game Report
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Opals use late run to see off Belarus, finish Group Phase with 5-0 mark

RIO DE JANEIRO (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - Australia rallied from a 13-point deficit to beat Belarus, 74-66, at the Youth Arena on Saturday afternoon and finish 5-0 in Group A of the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament. 

The Opals trailed 52-39 with 4:30 left in the third quarter but fought back and outscored Belarus 22-7 in the final frame to keep their perfect record. They will next play in Tuesday's Quarter-Finals at Carioca Arena 1.

The loss saw Belarus conclude their participation in the tournament with a 1-4 mark.

Turning Point: Belarus played welll through the first three quarters and tled at the end of each - 25-22, 39-36 and 59-52 respectively. However, they were running on empty come the fourth period and Australia pounced, accounting for 16 of the first 19 points. Tessa Lavey hit a three-pointer that made it 68-62 and put the Opals in the driving seat for good.    

Stats Don't Lie: Belarus shot just 3-of-16 from the field in the fourth quarter.

Hero: Liz Cambage had 7 of her game-high 17 points in the final frame. Katie Rae Ebzery and Cayla George (9 points each) came off the bench and scored at timely junctions to help Australia rally all the way back from that 13-point third quarter deficit. 

The Bottom Line: Prior to the game, Australia had already done their part to finish as the group's winners, while a win for Belarus was not going to be enough to see them through to the Quarter-Finals. Despite this, the teams came out and played to the best of their abilities, much to the delight of the spectators. 

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FIBA