Brondello’s 3rd quarter timeout proved crucial as the Opals go on 14-2 run to fight of Puerto Rico<\/p>\n
The Australian Opals <\/a>is sweating on the fitness of star centre Alanna Smith<\/a> after last year’s WNBA Defensive Player of the Year<\/a> left the team’s 70-54 win over Puerto Rico in their FIBA World Cup opener<\/a> in the second quarter return.<\/p>\n Smith was dominating with 10 points and eight rebounds in just 12 minutes but suffered a lower leg injury on a defensive rebound.<\/p>\n The 29-year-old Dallas Wings <\/a>star left the game and was late to join the Opals bench after the halftime break. She returned in a hoodie and missed the second half.<\/p>\n Opals head coach Sandy Brondello <\/a>said in the post game press conference: “I don\u2019t have a status report on Alanna. <\/p>\n “Obviously we\u2019re praying that she\u2019ll be okay. She\u2019s such a big part of what we do, and she had played great in the 12 minutes that she did play.”<\/p>\n Basketball Australia said Smith’s absence in the second half was “precautionary due to lower leg tightness”.<\/p>\n Back-up centre Zitina Aokuso started in her absence as Australia fought off a plucky Puerto Rico side in game one in Berlin and responded after coach Brondello took aim at her Opals in the third quarter.<\/p>\n “Take a breath, we’re playing scared. Relax and we’ll be alright,” Brondello said after Puerto Rico closed to within a point with five minutes left in the third quarter.<\/p>\n The Opals responded and went on a 14-2 run, sparked by back-to-back threes from Alex Wilson and Chloe Bibby, damaging Puerto Rico’s zone after it proved challenging for Australia to overcome in the second and start of the third periods.<\/p>\n Australian starting forward Steph Talbot <\/a>was elite, making crucial plays at both ends of the floors to lead her team to a 16-point victory.<\/p>\n Talbot connected on consecutive triples to put the game out of reach as the Las Vegas Aces starter and Adelaide Lightning skipper led the Opals in scoring with 19 points, including 4-from-6 from beyond the arc, while also grabbing eight rebounds in 33 minutes.<\/p>\n New Opals captain Ezi Magbegor <\/a>had an inspired second half, stepping up in Smith’s absence with 11 points and nine rebounds, including a crucial three-pointer \u2013 off a Talbot drive-and-kick assist, to allow Brondello’s side to extend their lead to double digits.<\/p>\n Aokuso also played a critical role with her physicality in the paint in her first major tournament for Australia.<\/p>\n “Z came in and was unbelievable,” Opals point guard Jade Melbourne<\/a> said.<\/p>\n “That\u2019s Zitina. I thought she came in and was great, just her ability to get seals down low.<\/p>\n “But, like, Alanna, Sami (Whitcomb)<\/a>, they\u2019re two people you can\u2019t replace. But it\u2019s always about who can step up and fill the void. So it\u2019s a collective effort.<\/p>\n “Shout-out to Z today. I think (Alex Fowler)\u00a0came in, did a really good job defensively as well. <\/p>\n “So, we\u2019ve just got to continue to step up.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s always next, next girl up mentality. That\u2019s how we\u2019ve always played. <\/p>\n “We\u2019re tough and we\u2019re going to fill the voids for one another. That\u2019s sport, just continue to find ways to win.”<\/p>\n It was clear the Opals missed injured veteran guard \u00a0Whitcomb, who withdrew from the World Cup last week<\/a> due to issues arising from a knee injury during WNBA\u00a0preseason, after Australia struggled to take care of the ball with 22 turnovers for the game.<\/p>\n Australia’s young guards, such as Melbourne and Atlanta Dream<\/a> wing Isobel Borlase<\/a>, will need to step up and cover Whitcomb’s absence as they progress in the tournament.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s always good to get the first one out of the way,” Melbourne said.<\/p>\n “As a group that\u2019s been together for three days, we\u2019ve got a lot of continuity, but it\u2019s jus kind of getting the rust out a little bit.<\/p>\n “But, quality, quality hit-out. I thought Talbs came up huge. <\/p>\n “Everyone made big plays when they had to. So, we\u2019re just finding that chemistry again. Each quarter we got a little bit of it back.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s always good to start with a win. So proud of the group and happy with that.”<\/p>\n Brondello said the Opals had to do a much better job of protecting the ball to make a deep run toward the podium.<\/p>\n “Obviously hard-fought,” she said.<\/p>\n “Probably not what I\u2019d love to have played the first game, but we\u2019ve had some tough first games in previous major tournaments.<\/p>\n “I think everyone knows we have a lack of preparation, and we lost Alanna Smith during the game. <\/p>\n “But I think we found more of our identity. Our defence was there, and that\u2019s what we have to hang our hat on.<\/p>\n “But we\u2019ll be better from this game. We know we can\u2019t turn the ball over or give up so many offensive boards, and that\u2019s an area that we\u2019ll focus on.<\/p>\n “The most important thing: we won. And now we have to get ready for the next battle.”<\/p>\n