Basketball On The Internet.

AUSTRALIA today took its Group C record to 2-0 at the FIBA Women's World Cup as Opals regulars Ezi Magbegor and Steph Talbot - along with several key cameos - stepped up to hand Turkey an 87-71 beating at Max-Schmeling-Halle in Berlin.

Appropriate given the venue is named after the late famous Germany boxer, the Opals steadily wore down their advancing opponent before delivering the body shots that blew out the margin.

With key starter Alanna Smith (lower leg injury) ruled out of the game - though not the tournament - coach Sandy Brondello gambled and inserted Isabelle Bourne in her spot and it was the first of several masterful decisions.

Bourne rose to the occasion, which also eased the burden on first-night howler Alex Fowler and the occasionally insecure Zitina Aokuso.

Fowler threw off her Puerto Rican malaise and was terrific, and Aokuso, after missing eight points worth of point blank first-half looks, finished strongly for nine points and three steals.

Australia's intent was evident immediately, Magbegor scoring off its first two forays, then feeding Talbot for a 6-0 lead. When Isobel Borlase pushed the ball upcourt for an easy Bourne bucket, it was 8-0 Opals and time-out Turkey.

Implored to relax, they did and steadily worked their way back into the game as the Opals subs showed a distinct lack of foul discipline and at 3:02, Turkey was ahead 15-14.

As if shocked back to reality, Fowler and Magbegor scored and Steph Reid, whose earlier insertion today quickly livened up the Opals' tempo, swished a 3-pointer for a 21-15 lead.

Jade Melbourne, playing one of her best games as an Opal but marring it somewhat with some poor fouling decisions, converted two strong moves in succession as Australia led 28-18.

A Bourne offensive rebound and pass out for a Talbot triple blew the lead out to 31-18 before she too had to sit due to three fouls.

Threes to Sevgi Uzun (24 points, 6 assists) and Derin Erdogan, brought Turkey back into the contest but with Talbot (17 points at 80 per cent, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) and Magbegor (21 points at 71 per cent) combining exceptionally, the Opals were pulling away.

Reid drew a charge from Kennedy Burke, coach Andrea Mazzon copped a technical and Turkey was unravelling.

The margin out at 80-61, it ballooned to a game-high 20 after Brondello subbed in notable 3-point specialist Miela Sowah and she immediately obliged with a first-touch triple for an 87-67 buffer.

This was a much-improved performance from the opener against Puerto Rico but the big test arrives against Belgium tomorrow and their megastar Emma Meesseman, who coolly slotted 27 points, 9 boards and 5 assists in their earlier 14-point win over Turkey.

FIBA Women's World Cup

GROUP C: Australia Opals 87 (Magbegor 21, Talbot 17, Fowler 10; Borlase, Talbot 5 rebs; Talbot 5 assts) d Turkey 71 (Uzun 24, Fitik 11, Burke 10; Bayram 5 rebs; Uzun 6 assts) at Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin; Belgium 89, Turkey 75. Australia Opals 70 (Talbot 19, Magbegor 11, Smith, Melbourne 10; Aokuso, Magbegor 9 rebs; Wilson 4 assts) d Puerto Rico 54 (Guirantes 14, San Antonio, McGee-Stafford 11; McGee-Stafford 12 rebs; San Antonio 2 assts)  Belgium 89, Turkey 75.

GROUP A: Japan 102, Mali 97; Spain 83, Germany 53; Mali 82, Spain 73; Germany 74, Japan 58; 

GROUP B: Korea 99, Nigeria 81; France 99, Hungary 53; France 95, Korea 69; Hungary 71, Nigeria 67;

GROUP D: USA 94, China 61; Italy 63, Czechia 54; 

All pics courtesy of fiba.com