Gliders suffer setback at Worlds
The Gliders were outplayed by an in-form Netherlands side, 57-44.
Australian coach John Triscari hopes the Gliders will rebound for a win against the Canadians in their final pool match.
“A disappointing loss tonight,” Triscari said. “Our destiny is in our own hands – a win against Canada tomorrow will see us finish top of our pool. Cobi Crispin was outstanding tonight with 20 points and 7 rebounds to continue her excellent form throughout the Worlds thus far.”
The damage was done in the third quarter when a 15-2 run by the Netherlands sealed the win.
Cobi Crispin led the way for the Australians; Kylie Gauci was in support with six points, five rebounds and five assists. The Netherlands’ Carina Versloot had 24 points to lead all scorers.
In a positive sign for the Australians, they closed the gap on a Netherlands team that had beaten them by 19 points only a week earlier, to fall by just 13 points overnight.
The opening quarter was a tight contest with the Gliders leading 10-9 with 40 seconds remaining, but a missed shot and a foul from the Australians allowed the Netherlands to pour on five quick points to hold a 14-10 lead at the first break.
The second quarter was a grinding, defensive affair as the Australians matched the Netherlands basket for basket.
But the game was all but over after the third quarter blitz by the Netherlands. The Gliders missed the five final shot attempts in the term which would have reduced some of the damage but the 17-point margin was too much to overcome in the final quarter.
The Gliders will take on reigning World Champions Canada at 9.15pm tonight AEST.
Quarter by quarter:
1: NED 14 AUS 10
H: NED 24 AUS 20 (10-10)
3: NED 47 AUS 30 (23-10)
F: NED 57 AUS 44 (10-14)
NETHERLANDS 57 (C Versloot 24, I Huitzing 14, C Korver 11) def
AUSTRALIA 44 (C Crispin 20, K Hill 8, K Gauci 6)
At National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England
Gliders World Championships Schedule
Monday 12 July: 12:15 Australia v Canada (9.15pm AEST)
Wednesday 14 July: Quarter Finals
Thursday 15 July: Semi Finals
Friday 16 July: Classification Matches
Saturday 17 July: Medal Matches
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