Opals trounce Tall Ferns
16/07/2007
The Australian Opals have kept their unbeaten status alive at the Williams Jones Cup in Chinese Taipei with a comprehensive 99-52 victory over New Zealand.
After wins over a Japanese University Games team and the USA Athletes in Action, the Opals upped the defensive pressure on the Tall Ferns after half-time to race away to the easy victory.
Natalie Porter was the star for the Opals, with a game-high 18 points, while Hollie Grima (14 points) and Laura Summerton (12 points) contributed strongly.
For New Zealand, guard Mikaela Cox produced a dynamic 15 points, but she received little support from her team-mates.
Australian coach Jan Stirling was happy with the victory, especially considering it was the Opals third game in three days.
"We said from the start of the tournament, we wanted to have an even spread of minutes and the girls have responded by playing hard, working together and committing to what we are trying to do," she said.
"Any time you play New Zealand, it is always a battle and they certainly showed tonight they are a quality young group that will only benefit from this sort of international experience."