An upset loss to Africa's best national basketball team Nigeria puts the Opals' 2024 Olympic medal hopes in early jeopardy.
The Opals have not minced their words after an upset loss to Nigeria put their 2024 Olympic medal hopes in early jeopardy.Opal Steph Talbot said post-match while they knew in advance the African side would deploy a full-court press, they still didn't handle it well.
"We didn't play Opals basketball, defensively too. We weren't aggressive. We got aggressive in the second half and in that third quarter in particular and that helped us, but we ran out of legs a little bit. But we have to be better." Alanna Smith top scored with 15 points for the Opals, but missed two late sets of free throws. The Opals only converted eight of a possible 18 points from the line, which thwarted their chances to return to the lead.
The Opals, without a medal in their last two Olympic campaigns, began with confidence, running plays at will and leading 8-2 before the wheels fell off. Nigerian captain Amy Okonkwo did not need another invitation, burying a three-pointer to put her side ahead by seven entering the final four minutes and sparked tears of joy after full-time.X When do the Summer Olympics start? What you need to know ahead of Paris 2024
Olympics Olympic Games Basketball Lauren Jackson Opals Nigeria
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