FIBA Basketball
AUS - Australia ease into last four
MELBOURNE (Commonwealth Games) - Australia cruised into the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games women's basketball event with a 95-43 thrashing of England on Sunday.The victory was Australia's third of the group stage and ensures they go through to a semi against either New Zealand or Nigeria with a 100% record.England, who started well
MELBOURNE (Commonwealth Games) - Australia cruised into the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games women's basketball event with a 95-43 thrashing of England on Sunday.
The victory was Australia's third of the group stage and ensures they go through to a semi against either New Zealand or Nigeria with a 100% record.
England, who started well against the Opals before fading away to suffer their first defeat of the competition, are also in the semi-finals and they will play the winner of the New Zealand-Nigeria match.
As she did in the opening two matches, Australia superstar Lauren Jackson paced her side with 31 points while Erin Phillips added 13 points and six assists.
Shelly Boston returned the best figures for England, scoring team-highs in points (12) and rebounds (seven).
Australia guard Carly Wilson admitted England had proved tough opponents to shake off at the beginning.
"(We) got a scare at the start, probably not as ready as we should have been," she said.
"It's great though when someone like Lauren who comes out and is just sensational shooting three-pointers."
Forward Emily McInerny added: "England was tough but we got better in the second half. It will only get tougher as we head into the finals."
New Zealand recorded their second big victory of the Games with a 113-56 triumph over Malaysia.
Lisa Wallbutton scored 21 points for the winners while captain Donna Loffhagen added 14 points and 16 rebounds as the Tall Ferns produce a similarly convincing display to their opening match, which they won 127-47 over Malta.
New Zealand's final group match is against Nigeria, who completed their second win of the competition with a 86-44 triumph over the hapless Maltese.
Funmi Ojelabi scored 21 points to lead four players in double-figure scoring for Nigeria, whose impressive total of 64 rebounds was more than twice as many as their opponents.
For Malta, guard Lucienne Bezzina led the scoring with 15 points, seven more than any of her team-mates.
From Mike Perez, PA Sport, Melbourne
The victory was Australia's third of the group stage and ensures they go through to a semi against either New Zealand or Nigeria with a 100% record.
England, who started well against the Opals before fading away to suffer their first defeat of the competition, are also in the semi-finals and they will play the winner of the New Zealand-Nigeria match.
As she did in the opening two matches, Australia superstar Lauren Jackson paced her side with 31 points while Erin Phillips added 13 points and six assists.
Shelly Boston returned the best figures for England, scoring team-highs in points (12) and rebounds (seven).
Australia guard Carly Wilson admitted England had proved tough opponents to shake off at the beginning.
"(We) got a scare at the start, probably not as ready as we should have been," she said.
"It's great though when someone like Lauren who comes out and is just sensational shooting three-pointers."
Forward Emily McInerny added: "England was tough but we got better in the second half. It will only get tougher as we head into the finals."
New Zealand recorded their second big victory of the Games with a 113-56 triumph over Malaysia.
Lisa Wallbutton scored 21 points for the winners while captain Donna Loffhagen added 14 points and 16 rebounds as the Tall Ferns produce a similarly convincing display to their opening match, which they won 127-47 over Malta.
New Zealand's final group match is against Nigeria, who completed their second win of the competition with a 86-44 triumph over the hapless Maltese.
Funmi Ojelabi scored 21 points to lead four players in double-figure scoring for Nigeria, whose impressive total of 64 rebounds was more than twice as many as their opponents.
For Malta, guard Lucienne Bezzina led the scoring with 15 points, seven more than any of her team-mates.
From Mike Perez, PA Sport, Melbourne