AUS - Opals victorious in Czech republic

BRNO (Friendly Games) - Australia’s women’s basketball team, the Opals, defeated the Czech Republic 83-58 overnight in the opening game of a two match series in Brno.

Beijing Olympian Hollie Grima was Australia’s best with an outstanding 22 point, 13 rebound performance and received great support from Abby Bishop, who contributed 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Eva Viteckova top scored for the Czech Republic with 16 points.

Despite coughing up a whopping 33 rebounds in an error-riddled game, Australia blitzed the rebound count 53-15 and amassed 19 steals to set up the victory.

The overpowering rebounding effort saw Australia jump out to a 32-12 lead after one quarter before the Czechs fought back in the second and third quarters to reduce the margin to twelve points with one period to play.

But Australia responded with a fast-paced 25-12 final quarter to get the victory, their second on tour from four games. The Opals lost a series 2-1 to China last week.

The Opals, ranked third in the world, will play the Czech Republic, ranked seventh, in the second and final game of the international friendly series tonight before departing for France on Wednesday.

The Opals will play matches against Hungary, the Czech Republic and France while in Paris before departing for Australia on June 1.

Quarter by Quarter:
1: AUS 32 CZE 12
H: AUS 44 CZE 28 (12-16)
3: AUS 58 CZE 46 (14-18)
F: AUS 83 CZE 58 (25-12)

AUSTRALIA 83 (H Grima 22, A Bishop 18, Renae Camino 12) bt
CZECH REPUBLIC 58 (E Viteckova 16, K Zohnova 12, P Manakova 9)
at Rosnicka Hall, Brno, Czech Republic.
AUS leads series 1-0

Basketball Australia