Basketball On The Internet.

MAGNIFICENT Ezi Magbegor today saved Australia from an ignominious defeat in its Paris Olympic Qualifying match against host nation Brazil in Belem, underpinning a 60-55 escape with several key late-game blocks to accompany game highs in points (18) and rebounds (7).

Aided and abetted by Bec Allen (14 points at 50 percent, equal game-high 4 assists), Australia's dynamic duo ensured it seized the initiative early and stepped up again when it mattered after Opals coach Sandy Brondello appeared to lose her way in the third quarter.

Brondello started with an eye to the present and also Australia's future with Sami Whitcomb, Allen, Alanna Smith, Magbegor and Marianna Tolo quickly jumping the home team. 

Allen had seven points early before Brazil tied the game at 10-10 and again at 13-13. Lauren Jackson's entry into the game was a plus and Steph Reid hustled her tail off when introduced as the Opals' defence kept Brazil to 16 first-quarter points.

Unfortunately their offence was only good for 19, which really did not reflect the extent of their control. 

In the second quarter however, Australia's already resolute defence stepped up to almost a legendary level. Brazil limped on from 16 points to 19 with three made free throws over the quarter's first 3:26. It did not score an actual field goal until the quarter's final 37.6 seconds!

Revolutionary rotating, desperate double-teams and fast hands in the lanes, the Opals were exemplary. This was time-capsule stuff at the defensive end.

Offensively, Magbegor ruled the keyway. Consistently isolated against a hapless defender, Magbegor scored her 18 points without a miss, going 7-of-7 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the stripe until missing a couple of shots very late.

Scores locked interminably on 25-19 Australia's way, Whitcomb's three finally gave the Opals an overdue reward for their exceptional defensive work.   

Tolo free throws made it 30-19, then Smith's wing 3-pointer smashed it to 33-19, the Aussies riding a 10-0 wave which could have been much more.

Leila Zabani finally scored for Brazil at 37.6 and when she missed her bonus free throw, Sassa Goncalves cleaned up the offensive rebound and Brazil was at 23-33, far closer than it had any right to be.

Tolo and Allen baskets, split by a Zabani three, meant Australia still was comfortably ahead 38-26 early in the third. 

At 40-28 on a pair of Magbegor free throws, the Opals were in control, though Brazil's attention to defensive detail was far more pronounced out of the halftime pep talk.

Again at 44-31, the game was shaping as "safe". Kamilla Soares cut it to 11, then Cayla George turned over a far-too-casual pass which Caca Martins stole and laid in, the crowd finding voice at 35-44.

Magbegor off her second Sara Blicavs assist, briefly stalled the comeback but the momentum had shifted. Debora Costa's three had the deficit to eight.

Another George turnover and Martins cut it to 40-46, the drums beating fiercely.

Stephanie Soares' pass to Martins had it at 42-46, Australia's offence suddenly impotent, Brondello running with players she has trusted in the past but who were shadows of themselves here.

Inexplicably she subbed in Jade Melbourne for her first (and only) action with 56 seconds left in the period, Brazil at 44-49 and coming, starter Smith all but forgotten and Reid also a memory. 

By the break, Brazil had it at 47-49, sphincters tightening all across Australia and with good reason. The Opals became typically conservative and Brazil continued its assault into the last, Whitcomb's foul on Vitoria Marcelino putting her to the line for three free throws.

She made them all, a 49-49 deadlock broken with the home team 52-49 ahead.

George, hit a baseline shot to end Brazil's 10-0 run, and Allen swished a three to make it 54-52, providing a moment's breathing space.

The game tied at 55-55 on another Kamilla Soares bucket, the stadium was rocking. George, with one rebound, four turnovers and having missed three 3-point attempts, finally stroked a triple before Magbegor blocked big shots on consecutive Brazilian offences to open the door for Tess Madgen to lay the ball in for the final scoreline.

As was her folly at the World Cup, Brondello under-played and under-utilised Jackson and stuck with her favourite players, even as the match was potentially slipping away.

A win secured by an imposing first half that kept Brazil playing pursuit all night not only showed off the best this group has to offer, but also the worst.

It was a good one to get out of the way, especially escaping it with a key W.   

BELEM, Brazil:

AUSTRALIA OPALS 60 (Magbegor 18, Allen 14; Allen, Magbegor 7 rebs; Allen 4 assts) d BRAZIL 55 (K.Soares, Dantas 11, Zabani 10; K.Soares 6 rebs; Soatres, Costa 4 assts) in Belem. GERMANY 73 d SERBIA 66.

*ANTWERP, Belgium:

USA 81 d Belgium 79, Nigeria 72 d Senegal 65. (*Only 2 qualifiers, USA automatic)

SOPRON, Hungary:

Japan 86 d Spain 75, Canada 67 d Hungary 55.

*XI'AN, China:

France 88 d Puerto Rico 40, China 94 d New Zealand 47 (*Only 2 qualifiers, France automatic)