Basketball On The Internet.

LIZ Cambage stood out like the Statue of Liberty on New York Harbor today, eventually swatting the pesky Japanese flotilla for a 92-86 “great escape” in Rio.

For three quarters, the plucky Japanese team not only put the question to the Opals but had already prepared the answers, double and triple-teaming Australia’s bigs, sprinting up the floor, making the game a track-meet.

It worked a treat too, the Opals - if not lethargic, certainly a little flat – seemingly surprised by the intensity of their opponent.

But in the end Cambage, after a 15-point first half, singlehandedly outscored Japan 18-15 in the final period as the Opals rallied from 59-71 behind at the last break  with a massive 33-15 final quarter.

Cambage finished with a tournament-high 37 points at 76 per cent, with 10 rebounds while also blocking three shots, none bigger than her reject of Japanese star Ramu Tokashiki (23 points, 7 rebounds) when the Opals were clinging to an 84-83 lead.

Erin Phillips pushed the lead to two from the stripe before Penny Taylor (13 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists) struck a 3-pointer for 88-83 with 53 seconds left.

Japan’s quick triple reduced it to 88-86 before Cambage scored inside for 90-86 and Marianna Tolo (10 points at 67 percent, 8 rebounds, 3 assists) wrapped it from the stripe after a failed Japanese flurry.

Trust me. This one was a huge wipe of the brow and a very deep sigh of relief for the Aussies who found their mojo just as Japan’s main quintet hit the wall and could no longer stay with what had been a potential match-winning gameplan.

Their transition, 3-point shooting at key moments – Mika Kurihara was 6-of-8 in her 20 points – ability to penetrate, basic backdoor cuts and harassing defence had the Opals rattled.

Coach Brendan Joyce (below) relentlessly was barking sideline orders, his intensity seemingly tightening his group which played without the sync which had brought it to 3-0 in the tournament.

In fact it wasn’t until the team’s best unit – Leilani Mitchell (terrific again with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal), Phillips, Taylor, Tolo and Cambage got rolling in the last that Australia looked the world #2.

Natalie Burton (2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists) continued her struggles as a starter – it’s past time for Tolo to replace her – and the bench contributed precious little. That is, of course, with the exception of Tolo.

Tessa Lavey never got going, Steph Talbot did what she’s done in each game so far – slash to the hoop, throw up a prayer, be subbed back out – Rachel Jarry copped a dreadful call for an offensive foul, then fouled a 3-point shooter 2.9 seconds out from halftime, and Laura Hodges went 1-of-6.

Katie-Rae Ebzery did well with her minutes and Cayla George never made it onto the court.

In a game Australia was struggling to show off its defensive bona fides and regularly exposed by penetration and quick ball movement, it was Mitchell who held the team together offensively during the extended crisis, and Cambage who was a colossus in the finish.

It was a crisis too, as Japan took its 71-59 lead at the last break out to 75-59, enjoying all the momentum and the support of an apparently appreciative officiating crew.

But down 61-77, Australia launched its comeback offensive as Cambage scored and Phillips drained a 3-pointer. Mitchell’s steal released Tolo on the break and in a blink, it was 68-77, Opals fans worldwide sensing the dramatic momentum shift and riding it with gusto.

Cambage’s free throws made it 70-77, then her converted drive and more free throws had Australia’s unanswered run at 13-0 and trailing 74-77.

There was plenty of time left too before Tokashiki scored Japan’s first basket in almost four minutes for 79-74.

COOL CUSTOMER: Leilani Mitchell was huge for the Opals. Picures courtesy FIBA.

Cambage had 12 points in succession by the time the Opals sat at 80-81, before Mitchell took it to the hoop and with 2:58 left, Australia was ahead 82-81.

Cambage made it 84-81 and now playing catchup after leading and loving life for so long, Japan had it all to do and simply could not.

This was its “Boomers-USA game” but far more disheartening.

For Australia, it was a wake-up call and while the comeback was nothing short of magnificent, it truly never should have found itself in such deep trouble.

While Cambage’s 37 points are the Rio tournament high for women OR men, it also rates as the third highest return by a woman at an Olympics.

Australia now has the pool’s top seeding locked up but there is still much improvement to be found.

AUSTRALIA OPALS 92 (Cambage 37, Mitchell 18, Taylor 13, Tolo 10; Cambage 10 rebs; Mitchell, Taylor 7 assts) d JAPAN 86 (Tokashiki 23, Kurihara 20, Motokawa 12, Takada 10; Tokashiki, Kurihara 7 rebs; Yoshida 11 assts).