Smith Stars as Opals Defeat Hungary in France
Go for 2&5 Perth Lynx star Deanna Smith shined in the Opals 68-52 win over Hungary in France. Read the review from Basketball.net.au
Australia’s women’s basketball team, the Opals, defeated Hungary in Massy, France this morning, 68-52.
The Opals contested the international friendly, played at the Omnisports Centre south of Paris, as a warm up game for the four nations Euroessonne Tournament, which starts tomorrow in Evry.
Australia will face the Czech Republic, Hungary and France at the event.
It was a comfortable win for the Opals this morning, with previous tour matches in the Czech Republic familiarising the Aussies with the European style of play.
Beijing Olympian Rohanee Cox and Perth Lynx guard Deanna Smith led Australia with 13 points apiece while Canberra Capitals point guard Natalie Hurst added 10 points and set the tone on defence with her unrelenting hustle.
Australia led by three points after one quarter and upped the ante in the second quarter to take a seventeen point advantage into the main break, 41-24.
The Opals turned the ball over repeatedly in the second half and had trouble converting good opportunities but Hungary was not able to effectively capitalise on the Opals’ inaccuracy and Australia closed out the game to win by sixteen points.
The 27-19 turnover count was negated to some extent by Australia’s dominance on the boards, 44-29.
The Opals will face the Czech Republic tomorrow morning Australian time in the opening game of the Euroessonne Tournament before games against Hungary and France on Sunday and Monday.
Quarter by quarter:
1. AUS 16 HUN 13
H. AUS 41 HUN 24 (25-11)
3. AUS 49 HUN 35 (8-11)
F. AUS 68 HUN 52 (19-17)
AUSTRALIA 68 (R Cox 13, D Smith 13, N Hurst 10) bt
HUNGARY 52 (D Horti 10, A Vida 10, O Englert 7, B Nemeth 7)
at the Omnisports Centre, Massy, France
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