Opals Claim Bronze

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Australia has won its third consecutive bronze medal at the FIBA Women's Asia Cup.

Photo: FIBA.basketball

Australia has registered its third consecutive third-place finish at the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, following its comprehensive win over New Zealand in the tournament’s bronze medal match.

The Opals suffered a 14-point defeat to eventual champions China in the semi-finals to set up the clash with their trans-Tasman rivals.

Veteran Alice Kunek starred in the medal match with a game-high 19 points, while Anneli Maley finished the crucial game with an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double.

Kunek was named to the tournament’s All-Star Five alongside tournament MVP Xu Han and her fellow Chinese representative Meng Li, Japan’s Mai Yamamoto and New Zealand’s Penina Davidson.

The third-place finish in the tournament also means Australia has progressed in qualifying for the Paris Olympic Qualifying Tournament.