TENERIFE, SPAIN – September 22, 2018 – Rebecca Allen of the Chemist Warehouse Australian Opals did a bit of everything to help Australia to an opening World Cup victory, 86-68, Saturday morning.
Allen’s midrange jumper started things off and Australia was not only able to capture the game’s first lead but retained it for the duration of the contest. Nigeria was able to knot scoring twice but only doing so in the first quarter. The Opals went on to charge deficits as large as 19 to Nigeria prior to its 18-point final.
Allen, the New York Liberty stretch forward, earned the start and shot 50-percent from the field and distance and was perfect at the charity stripe.
Allen hits the @ChemistWhouse Opals' first three-pointer of the game and she now has 9pts!
🇦🇺 51-42 🇳🇬 | 5:25 | Q3 #GoOpals #FIBAWWC #ChemistWarehouse
— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) September 22, 2018
She was the second-leading scorer netting nine points, second-highest rebounder with five boards and dished three dimes. Her two thefts without a single turnover on the morning tabbed a team-high in 20 minutes of action.
Australia prevailed in the paint considerably, 52-28, while winning the fast-break footrace, 18-4. Nigeria did own Australia in second-chance opportunities, 10-2, in part to its offensive rebounding proficiency, 19-8.
Tomorrow, September 23, Allen and the Opals take on Argentina at 6:00 AM (ET).