The Australian Opals have booked their spot in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup semi-finals with a 79-67 win over Japan in their final game of Group B at Shenzhen Sports Center.
With the win, the Aussies finish the group stage at the top of Group B, earning them automatic qualification to the semi-finals, but they had to dig deep.
After trailing 52-41 at the half, Australia came out of the break with a renewed sense of urgency, tying things up at 59-59 heading into the fourth quarter, before Sara Blicavs gave the Opals the lead for good at 65-61 with back-to-back buckets.
"We know Japan very well, and respect them as an opponent," head coach Paul Goriss said. "We know how good they are in transition and off the three-point line and I think we did a poor job on that in the first half.
"But really, to the team's credit, and our girls' credit, the way they defended in the second half, in holding Japan to 16 points in the second half, is a credit to their toughness and their ability to play together."
The Opals defense turned the screws in the second half as they outscored Japan 37-16 across the final two quarters to seal the win.
Stephanie Reid led the way with 15 points and nine assists, giving the Opals a spark in the third quarter, while Zitina Aokuso produced came off the bench with an impactful 14 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and a block.
Sara Blicavs chipped in 13 points and four rebounds, while Alex Fowler added 11 points and five boards.
Topping Group B, the Opals have earned themselves a couple days rest, advancing directly to the semi-finals, while Japan will face the third-place team from Group A to qualify for the semis.
Australia vs. Japan box score
| PLAYER | MIN | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG | 3P | FT |
| Miela Sowah | 6:41 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2-3 | 0-1 | 0-0 |
| Courtney Woods | 26:32 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1-4 | 1-3 | 0-0 |
| Abbey Ellis | 7:20 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2-2 |
| Stephanie Reid | 32:53 | 15 | 2 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 6-10 | 1-1 | 2-2 |
| Cayla George | 18:12 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2-8 | 1-5 | 3-4 |
| Sara Blicavs | 23:24 | 13 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4-11 | 1-4 | 4-5 |
| Isobel Borlase | 16:37 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3-7 | 1-1 | 0-0 |
| Zitina Aokuso | 20:33 | 14 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4-6 | 0-0 | 6-8 |
| Alexandra Fowler | 27:31 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5-11 | 1-3 | 0-0 |
| Isabelle Bourne | 10:27 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1-4 | 0-1 | 0-0 |
| Alex Wilson | DNP | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Chloe Bibby | 9:51 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0-3 | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| TOTAL | 200 | 79 | 44 | 21 | 8 | 2 | 28-67 | 6-21 | 17-21 |
FIBA Women's Asia Cup full schedule: Dates, times for games
*All times AEST.
| Game | Date | Time | Location |
| Australia vs. Philippines | Sunday 13 July | Aus 115 def. Phi 39 | Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre |
| Australia vs. Lebanon | Monday 14 July | Aus 113 def Leb 34 | Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre |
| Australia vs. Japan | Tuesday 15 July | Aus 79 def Jpn 67 | Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre |