Opals win over Brazil makes it five

The Australian Opals have defeated host nation Brazil 82-73 at the 2006 FIBA world basketball championship for women in Sao Paulo.

The game was a major test for the Opals, who have won all five of their games and now top Group E ahead of Tuesday morning's match against Argentina at 6:30am AEST.

Penny Taylor starred for Australia with 27 points and seven rebounds while Lauren Jackson had 21 points and 13 rebounds. Kristi Harrower had 11 points.

Ex-Houston Comet Janeth Arcain tallied 22 points and eight rebounds to lead Brazil.

Brazil rode the emotion of a vocal crowd to lead 21-17 after one quarter, but the Opals opened the second quarter with a 15-5 run.

The hosts came back to within two points of the lead before 6 straight points from Penny Taylor propelled Australia into the main break with an eight-point lead, 47-39.

Again Brazil attacked, cutting the lead to four in the third quarter before Taylor, who had an outstanding game, steadied the Opals.

Australia's 11-point lead was reduced to just three at the start of the fourth and it was anyone's game.

But a Tully Bevialqua three-pointer with 2:38 remaining rattled Brazil and the Opals showed great poise to hold on for a memorable victory.

No injuries were reported.

Match Details:

AUSTRALIA 82 – Taylor 27, Jackson 21, Harrower 11

BRAZIL 73 – Arcain 22, Santos Oliveira 16, Marques 13

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