Clutch Steph Reid is Opals 'Jewel' against China

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Australia survived a furious fourth-quarter comeback from China, with co-captain Steph Reid calmly sinking two clutch free throws with 18 seconds left to secure a tense 76-74 victory in their FIBA Women's World Cup warm-up at John Cain Arena on Tuesday night.

Reid, who signed with the Tasmania Jewels for WNBL27, finished with a team-high 16 points and five assists.

The Opals looked set for a comfortable win after debutant Sitaya Fagan's lay-up extended Australia's lead to 63-48 with 9:41 remaining but the Chinese took control, outscoring the Opals 26-15 behind the imposing 220cm centre Zhang Ziyu and Southside Melbourne Flyers new import guard Wang Siyu.

Zhang scored 10 fourth-quarter points, while Wang added nine in the period as the visitors trimmed the margin to just two entering the final minute.

Australia had chances to put the game away but missed key opportunities before Reid delivered under pressure. Fouled with 18 seconds remaining, she knocked down both free throws to stretch the lead to 76-72.

China then drew up a three-point look, but Luo Xinyu missed from beyond the arc with 12 seconds left. Wang Siyu scored on a driving lay-up at the buzzer, trimming the final margin to 76-74.

Reid finished with a team-high 16 points and five assists, while Zitina Aokuso dominated inside with 15 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists. Alexandra Fowler was superb, shooting five-from-six from the field for 12 points and five rebounds, while Isabelle Bourne added 12 points, five rebounds and two blocks.

Despite making just two-from-20 from three-point range, Australia repeatedly punished China inside, scoring 60 points in the paint. The Opals also forced 22 turnovers, collecting 12 steals to offset China's superior shooting from the field (46% to 43%).

China's comeback was driven by Zhang, who finished with a game-high 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Wang contributed 16 points and five assists.

The teams will meet again at John Cain Arena on Thursday as both nations continue preparations for the 2026 FIBA Women's World Cup.

By the Numbers: Opals 76, China 74

15 – Biggest lead Australia built after Sitaya Fagan's lay-up made it 63-48 early in the fourth quarter.

16 – Team-high points from Sara Reid, who also dished five assists and iced the game with two clutch free throws.

15 – Points, six rebounds, three assists and four steals for Zitina Aokuso in an outstanding two-way performance.

12 – Points on an ultra-efficient five-from-six shooting from Alexandra Fowler.

12 – Steals by the Opals, helping force 22 Chinese turnovers.

22 – Turnovers forced by Australia's pressure defence.

60 – Points in the paint for Australia, accounting for almost 79% of its total scoring.

2 – Three-pointers made by the Opals from 20 attempts (10%).

20 – Assists on 33 made field goals, highlighting Australia's ball movement.

37 – Total rebounds for Australia, just one fewer than China's 38.

28 – Points and 11 rebounds from China's Zhang Ziyu.

26-15 – China outscored Australia in the fourth quarter after trailing by 15 early in the period.

6,018 – Crowd at John Cain Arena for the first World Cup warm-up.

2 – Margin of victory after Australia's late-game composure held off China's final charge.