Basketball On The Internet.

AUSTRALIA's Opals turned up the defensive screws and cried no tears for Argentina as they KO'd Group B's No.3 seed by a whopping 84-43 scoreline tonight at the FIBA Women's World Cup.

After an adequate opening night 86-68 win over Nigeria, the Opals looked far sharper in demolishing the Argentines, Liz Cambage again in control, her game-high 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting (plus six boards) delivered in just 17:24 of court-time.

Captain Jenna O'Hea (calf strain) again was rested as the Opals contained Argentina to 5 points in the first quarter and 8 in the second, before overall keeping them to 22 per cent shooting.

They smashed them by a whopping 59-30 on the boards, dismantled their offence to the tune of a meagre 11 assists, while compiling 25 assists of their own off their 32-of-66 field goals.

Ahead 40-13 at halftime, it gave Australia the opportunity to get minutes into the entire rotation, only Tessa Lavey going scoreless.

After Turkey last night beat Argentina 63-37, Australia had to send a message ahead of their showdown which decides who will go directly through to the quarter-finals.

Message delivered.

Naturalised guard Sami Whitcomb seized her moments with a game-high five assists to accompany her 16 points at 50 per cent in 19:32 of action.

HAIR-RAISING! Ezi Magbegor continues to emerge, along with Alanna Smith. Pic via fiba.com 

Burgeoning talent Ezi Magbegor had a game-high eight rebounds with her 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting in 17:48 and Alex Bunton looked powerful and strong off the block.

Coach Sandy Brondello had the luxury of rationing the minutes with Lavey playing the most at 22:38 and no-one playing lesss than 13.

It was the perfect performance and puts the Opals one win away from the top eight.

AUSTRALIA OPALS 84 (Cambage 24, Whitcomb 16, Magbegor 14, Smith 10; Magbegor 8 rebs; Whitcomb 5 assts) d ARGENTINA 43 (Rosset 13; D'Urso 5 rebs; Manna 3 assts).