TENERIFE, SPAIN – September 30, 2018 – Rebecca Allen and The Chemist Warehouse Australian Opals fell to USA, 73-56, and finished the 2018 FIBA World Cup as the second-runner up earning silver for their campaign.
Struggling to find their offense all game, the Opals shot just 33-percent from the field and just 18.2-percent from three-point territory.
Slow starts to each quarter proved Australia’s downfall despite containing the USA’s shooting to just 35-percent. While the Opals remained stoic defensively, holding USA to 25-percent shooting at the main break, they were outscored by 11 from the free-throw line and nine from beyond the arc.
Despite the inability to find a true rhythm, Australia remained within striking distance with only eight points separating the teams but surrendered an 8-0 USA run to get the second half rolling.
The USA’s veteran presence took over owning the Aussies in the third segment, 26-11, to ultimate decide the result.
Allen scored just two points in the chip game going 1-for-6 on the afternoon. She also contributed three rebounds and an assist.
#FIBAWWC Final Standings:
1. USA 🇺🇸
2. Australia 🇦🇺
3. Spain 🇪🇸
4. Belgium 🇧🇪
5. France 🇫🇷
6. China 🇨🇳
7. Canada 🇨🇦
8. Nigeria 🇳🇬
9. Japan 🇯🇵
10. Turkey 🇹🇷
11. Greece 🇬🇷
12. Senegal 🇸🇳
13. Latvia 🇱🇻
14. Korea 🇰🇷
15. Argentina 🇦🇷
16. Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 pic.twitter.com/Stp1zaN3Ap— FIBA (@FIBA) October 1, 2018
The Opals’ 2018 FIBA World Cup silver medal follows bronze medals in 1998, 2002 and 2014 as well as a gold medal in 2006. They have won 27 of their last 31 FIBA World Cup games with three of those four losses coming against the USA.