EMERGING OPALS FINISH TOP OF POOL, EMERGING BOOMERS CLAIM FIRST WIN

Emerging Opals

Having secured convincing wins in their first two games, the Emerging Opals faced their toughest challenge so far against China in their last group stage game.

Ezi Magbegor got them off to a solid start by scoring six of Australia’s first ten points but China found their stroke early, drilling 4-7 from the three-point line to gain an advantage.

Keely Froling (11 points, five rebounds) and Abbey Wehrung ensured the margin stayed within reach but the three-point shooting continued for China into the second term and began to be an issue for the Emerging Opals.

The lead got out to nine as they closed in on half-time but Wehrung, with assistance from Maddi Rocci (11 points), reeled China in to tie things up at 50-50 heading into the main break.

Captain Wehrung finished with 27 points and six assists, knocking down four three’s and shooting 9-14 overall and she helped Australia carry momentum into the third period.

There, Rocci scored five points and Magbegor (21 points, 14 rebounds) and Alex Sharp (ten points, six boards) contributed to a 10-2 run.

They maintained that edge down the stretch, owning an eight-point lead, but China had one last run in them.

They cut the deficit to two with only two minutes remaining as they knocked down 14 three-pointers for the game to out-score the Emerging Opals by 24 from long range.

Scherf (four points, seven rebounds, six assists) had the answer with a lay-up though and Australia consolidated in the final minute to secure top spot in the group with a 90-84 victory.

Find the stats here.

The Emerging Opals now await the final group stage results as they get set to take on the second-placed team from Group C in Sunday night/Monday morning’s Quarter-Final.

Emerging Boomers

Bouncing back from a disappointing start to the 2019 World University Games, the Emerging Boomers made a statement with an emphatic 105-62 victory over Mexico.

Setting the tone from the opening tip, the Aussie men began the game with a 12-3 run as they hit five of their first eight shots.

By quarter-time, Dejan Vasiljevic had 12 points and Tanner Krebs (12 points, five assists overall) got in on the act early in the second to join him in double-figures as Australia kept their foot on the pedal throughout the contest.

Mexico proved powerless to stop the Emerging Boomers who drained 15 three’s as a team while every player got on the scoreboard before three-quarter time in a dominant display.

Vasiljevic finished with a game-high 20 points, Isaac White had 15 points on 4-6 three-point shooting, Jonah Antonio added 11 points while Jack Purchase (six points, six rebounds) and captain Jack White (five points, four assists) also impressed.

Find the stats here.

The Emerging Boomers now face the Czech Republic early Sunday morning Australian time. Another win will be enough to secure them a top-two finish in the group stage and qualify them for the Quarter-Finals alongside the Emerging Opals.

Find stats and results from the entire tournament here and stay tuned for updates regarding live-streaming.

The Emerging Opals and Emerging Boomers Schedule for the 2019 World Uni Games (all times AEST):

July 3: Emerging Opals def. Finland 68-51
July 5: Emerging Opals def. Canada 85-51
July 5: Emerging Boomers def. by Israel 64-92
July 5: Emerging Opals def. China 90-84
July 5: Emerging Boomers def. Mexico 105-62
July 7: Emerging Boomers vs. Czech Republic at 4am
July 8: Emerging Opals’ Quarter-Finals at 1.30am or 4am
July 9: Emerging Boomers’ Quarter-Finals at 1.30am or 4am
July 9: Emerging Opals’ Semi-Finals at 1.30am or 4am
July 10: Emerging Boomers’ Semi-Finals at 1.30am or 4am
July 11: Emerging Opals’ medal games at 1.30am and 4am
July 12: Emerging Boomers’ medal games at 1.30am and 4am

The Emerging Opals have finished the group stage of the 2019 World University Games undefeated to advance to the Quarter-Finals while the Emerging Boomers claimed their first win of the tournament.

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