GEMS POWER TO PERFECT START AT FIBA U18 ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

Despite being two players down with Isabelle Bourne not travelling with the team due to injury and Lily Scanlon suffering a rolled ankle during training yesterday, the Gems were never bothered by Indonesia after they began the game with an 11-0 run.

They restricted their opponents from hitting a field goal in the first term and extended their lead at every break with all ten players making solid contributions on the scoreboard in the end.

At half-time and with a 32-point lead, the only thing lacking from the Gems’ game was three-point shooting but they found that in the third quarter with Jaz Shelley (eight points, eight rebounds) drilling two from beyond the arc and Ashlee Hannan (12 points, two blocks) locking in from distance as well.

Australia truly took hold of the contest from the paint though as Isobel Anstey (20 points, 12 rebounds) and Agnes Emma-Nnopu (12 points, seven rebounds, three blocks) controlled proceedings.

Sam Simons joined in on the act as well with nine points and ten boards, seven of which came on the offensive glass and she helped the Gems record a 32-2 advantage in second chance points with 40 offensive rebounds overall.

Emma-Nnopu also collected five steals and along with Isabel Palmer (four points, four steals) and Miela Goodchild (ten points, three steals), they gave Australia a 28-2 edge in fast-break points and a 36-2 edge in points off turnovers.

Find the box score here and watch the replay below.

The Gems will now face Chinese Taipei tomorrow afternoon at 4.30pm AEDT as the group stage continues.

If they finish on top of the group, Australia will automatically book their spot in the Under-19 World Cup by advancing directly to the Semi-Finals.

Finishing second or third in the group means they will still have a chance to earn their place via a Semi-Final qualifier.

All games for the tournament will be live-streamed on the Basketball Australia Facebook page or via FIBA’s YouTube channel.

The 2018 Australian Gems Schedule for the FIBA Under-18 Asian Championships (all times AEDT):

October 28: Australia def. Indonesia (96-28)
October 29: Australia vs. Chinese Taipei at 4.30pm
October 30: Australia vs. Korea at 4.30pm
November 1: Semi-Final Qualifier
November 2: Semi-Finals
November 3: Medal Games

The post GEMS POWER TO PERFECT START AT FIBA U18 ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS appeared first on Basketball Australia.

The Australian Gems have dominated their opening game of the FIBA Under-18 Asian Championships group stage, defeating Indonesia 96-28.

The post GEMS POWER TO PERFECT START AT FIBA U18 ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS appeared first on Basketball Australia.

Basketball Australia

Powered by WPeMatico