Seattle Storm players limited, but Australia reaches World Cup quarterfinals

BERLIN (AP) — Australia and China earned the final two spots in the quarterfinals of the women’s FIBA World Cup, executing down the stretch of their games to advance.

The Opals blew a 26-point third quarter lead before holding off Italy 82-80 while China used a solid effort by Han Xu, who had 21 points and 11 rebounds to beat Puerto Rico 75-72.

Even though they won, Australia ran into more injury trouble.

Midway through the first quarter, Australia lost star center Ezi Magbegor of the Seattle Storm to an injury. She was down on the court for a few minutes under the Opals’ basket before being helped back to the locker room. She came out and sat on the bench in the second quarter, but didn’t return to the game.

Australia coach Sandy Brondello wasn’t sure if Magbegor would available for Thursday’s quarterfinal. Also, Magbegor’s Storm teammate Jade Melbourne was only able to play just over 3 minutes due to illness.

Australia was already missing forward Alanna Smith, who has been out since playing in the opener. Smith is nursing a lower leg injury she first suffered playing with the Dallas Wings.

Australia looked like it was going to cruise to the quarters for the 10th straight tournament as the team led by 26 points in the third quarter and 69-49 heading into the final period. Italy had other thoughts, making an incredible comeback to tie the game at 77 before Australia prevailed and moved on to play Spain Thursday in the quarterfinals.

“We found a way, proud of that,” Brondello said. “We faced too much adversity, but we’re still here and we’ll give it a crack tomorrow.”

Isobel Borlase scored 30 points and Zitina Aokuso made a go-ahead layup with 24 seconds left after Italy rallied from a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit.

The Italians, who gave the U.S. its most competitive group game in 50 years, were down by 26 points in the third quarter and 69-49 entering the final period. That’s when they began a furious comeback, capped by Costanza Verona’s 3-pointer with 1:09 left that tied the game at 77.

Neither team could convert on their next possessions.

Aokuso broke the tie with a layup off a nice pass from Borlase to give Australia the lead with 24 seconds left.

Italy had a chance to tie it or take the lead, but Cecilia Zandalisini missed a jumper with 13 seconds left. A review of the ensuing rebound gave possession to Australia.

Alex Wilson was fouled with 8.3 seconds left and made both free throws to make it a two-possession game. Vittoria Blasigh then hit a 3-pointer getting Italy within 81-80 with just under 5 seconds left.

Borlase made the second of two free throws to give Australia a two-point lead. Francseca Pasa had one last chance to tie it, but her layup rolled off the rim at the buzzer.

China reaches quarterfinals

China was in a back and forth game with Puerto Rico before prevailing in the end. Yang Shuyu scored 15 points and Zhang Ziyu added 13 for China, which will play France on Thursday.

“We are a young team, but they were No. 2 at Olympic Games,” Han said of the French. “They’re so tough and they are winning games by a lot, but we are not afraid. We just play 100% and hope we can learn a lot from this game.”

Two of Han’s New York Liberty teammates — Marine Johannes and Pauline Astier are on France. Han said that: “for one day we aren’t friends. After that we are friends again.”

The 7-foot-3 Zhang made five of her six field-goal attempts.

With the game tied at 66, Han hit a 3-pointer with 2:56 left to put China up. Luo Xinyu then followed with another 3-pointer a minute later to extend the advantage to six. Puerto Rico cut its deficit to 72-70 on Arella Guirantes’ basket with 25 seconds left.

Yang made two free throws eight seconds later which basically sealed the win.

Trinity San Antonio had 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists to lead Puerto Rico. Imani Stafford-McGee added 16. Puerto Rico had its tournament come to an end, one round earlier than in 2022.

China advanced to the quarterfinals for the fourth straight World Cup. They won the silver medal in the 2022 tournament, falling to the U.S. in the gold medal game.

Other quarterfinal matchups on Thursday are the U.S. vs Hungary and Germany vs. Belgium.

Seattle Sports staff made minor additions and alterations to this post.

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