Opals reach FIBA Women’s World Cup quarterfinal after Italy misses last-second shot
Posted Thu 10 Sep 2026 at 7:06amThu 10 Sep 2026 at 7:06amThu 10 Sep 2026 at 7:06am, updated Thu 10 Sep 2026 at 7:41amThu 10 Sep 2026 at 7:41amThu 10 Sep 2026 at 7:41am
A short-handed Australian team is still alive and into the last eight at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup despite surrendering a 20-point three-quarter-time lead before ultimately beating Italy 82-80.
The Opals had a 69-49 lead heading into the final quarter of their qualification final against the Azzurre, but watched the Italians slowly chip away at it over the next eight minutes and 51 seconds before Costanza Verona’s three tied the game at 77 with 1:09 left.
Zitina Aokuso made a lay-up off Izzy Borlase’s drive to end a three-minute scoring drought for Australia and Ally Wilson’s clutch free throws gave them a four-point advantage when Italy was forced to intentionally foul with eight seconds left.
The great escape appeared to be complete until a long-range bomb by Vittoria Blasigh off the inbounds pass left Italy trailing by just one point with five seconds remaining.
Borlase was then sent to the line but made only one of two free throws to give Italy a chance for one last play while down by two, and Francesca Pasa appeared to catch the defence napping by going for the tie rather than the win.
The speedy guard burst past Borlase and got her left-handed lay-up onto the backboard as the siren sounded, but the ball just rolled off the right of the rim and the Opals survived.
They moved into a quarterfinal against Spain, but will have to do it without some of their biggest stars.
Having already lost veteran Sami Whitcomb to a knee issue before the tournament and losing WNBA champion Alanna Smith to injury in their opening game against Puerto Rico, the Opals copped another huge blow against Italy.
Captain and star forward Ezi Magbegor played just four minutes of the clash before she went down during a drive to the basket.
Magbegor powered into a seam in the defence but was fouled from the side by Lorela Cubaj, causing her right knee to bend awkwardly inward.
The Seattle Storm star immediately shouted in pain and hit the deck, appearing to be in tears on the floor before being helped off the court by training staff.
Meanwhile, an ill Jade Melbourne played only three minutes.
Borlase, a rookie guard with the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, picked up the slack and scored a game-high 30 points on 7/13 shooting from the field while knocking down 14 of 16 free throws.
The 21-year-old was named player of the match.