9
Jul
By the Numbers
Opals complete second-half rally to clean sweep China
Steph Reid, Zitina Aokuso of Australia and teammates celebrate from the bench during the match between Australia Opals and China at John Cain Arena on July 09, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. PhotoDaniel Pockett/Getty Images)
Zitina Aokuso leads Australian Opals to comeback victory over China at John Cain Arena
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Former Washington Mystics guard Ally Wilson hit three triples – her only buckets of the game – during a 27-5 run to lead the Australian Opals to stunning second-half comeback to defeat China 84-82 on Thursday, July 9, 2026.
The Opals overturned an 18-point halftime deficit to complete a clean sweep of their two-game international series in Melbourne.
Australia erased China's lead by opening the second half on a 14-0 run before finishing the third quarter on another 13-0 burst, turning a 50-33 deficit into a 60-55 lead.
Rising star Sitaya Fagan, who will play for USC in the 2026-27 NCAA season, knock down a big three at the end of the first half to make it 45-31 at the main break.
China dominated the opening half through 2.20m teenage centre Zhang Ziyu, whose size and touch around the basket caused Australia significant problems. The visitors controlled the paint and capitalised on Australian turnovers to establish what appeared a match-winning advantage.
The Opals ripped off a 14-0 scoring run to cut the margin to just three before China briefly answered. Australia then finished the quarter on another 13-0 burst, combining for a remarkable 27-5 stretch that transformed a 50-33 deficit into a 60-55 lead.
Wilson was the catalyst. The veteran guard buried three threes during the run, while Maddison Rocci controlled the tempo with five points, two assists and a steal.
Former New York Liberty development player Alex Fowler added four points and dominated the offensive glass, Zitina Aokuso opened the comeback with an inside finish, Isobel Bourne attacked the rim, WNBL26 Grand Final MVP Courtney Woods knocked down a momentum-changing three and Darcee Garbin added a turnaround jumper as every key contributor played a part.
Australia outscored China 31-15 in the third quarter to carry a 62-60 lead into the final period.
The fourth quarter featured eight lead changes or ties.
China edged back in front 75-70 after a three-pointer from S. Wang, but Australia refused to buckle.
Woods answered with a three, Garbin tied the scores at 76-all with another triple, before Fowler converted inside off a Steph Reid assist to restore Australia's lead.
Over the final two minutes, Australia executed under pressure while China had multiple chances to steal the game.
With 2:19 remaining, Fowler made a lay-up from a Reid assist to give Australia a 78-77 lead.
Seconds later, Woods came up with a crucial steal on Shuyu Wang, then calmly knocked down both free throws after being fouled to extend the Opals' advantage to 80-77 with 1:54 left.
Australia forced another turnover when Woods again picked Wang's pocket before Wilson found Aokuso for a lay-up that pushed the lead to 82-77 with 1:31 remaining.
China stayed within striking distance as Wang hit two free throws to make it 82-79 with 1:04 to play.
Aokuso answered immediately. Fouled with 46 seconds remaining, she sank both free throws to restore Australia's five-point cushion at 84-79.
China refused to go away. Zhang Ziyu converted an and-one with 26 seconds left, trimming the margin to 84-82.
Australia's defence then produced one final stop, denying China on the last possession to complete the 84-82 comeback victory after trailing by as many as 18 points in the first half.
The Opals now turn their attention to the 2026 FIBA World Cup between September 4 and September 13, 2026.
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