SYDNEY, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Canada reached the quarterfinals with a perfect winning record in three games, while thousands of home crowd cheered for Australia's 69-54 win over Serbia at the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup here on Sunday.
Canada became the first qualifier from Group B after getting past Japan 70-56. Bridget Carleton finished with a game-high 19 points and six rebounds for Canada.
Canada shot 43.5 percent from the field compared to Japan's 31.9 percent and outrebounded Japan 48-34.
Canada extended its advantage to 16 points before halftime and 22 after the third quarter.
As Japan tried to narrow the gap by scoring 17 points in the final quarter, Canada boosted its defense and made it impossible for its opponents to reverse with a block with 14 seconds to play.
Japanese captain Maki Takada achieved a team-high 11 points.
Australia notched its second straight triumph under the gaze of over 9,000 attendees.
Samantha Whitcomb was substituted out with a bloody nose following a collision. The Aussie guard later returned to the court, hitting two out of the team's five 3-pointers to contribute 10 points and four assists.
Her teammate Bec Allen, one of the game's top scorers with 16 points, got hurt in the fourth quarter when contending for a loose ball.
"She's a key member of our team," said Opals coach Sandy Brondello, adding that it remains to be seen if Allen has to miss a game.
Australia rose to an 18-10 lead in the first quarter, with veteran center Lauren Jackson shooting a 3-pointer and scoring five points in five minutes of action. Despite Serbian ace Yvonne Anderson mounting 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists, the Opals managed to extend the gap to double digits in the second half.
The same hard-earned victory went to France. With Gabby Williams grabbing 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists, they defeated Mali 74-59 in a game featuring five lead changes and seven ties for their second win in the campaign.
"They played really hard," Williams said. "But I wasn't worried at all. There were just minor changes that we needed to adjust."
Sika Kone led Mali to a 21-17 edge over France in the first quarter with six points and seven rebounds. The 20-year-old power forward tallied 18 points and 18 rebounds, one shy of the tournament's rebounding record, according to FIBA stats.
But France turned the table by adding 25 points in the second quarter and gradually widened its margin after the break.
Marine Fauthoux sealed France's victory with two free throws with three seconds left. France hit an impressive 92.3 percent in free throws, while Mali recorded 60 percent.
Canada leads Group B with six points, followed by France (5), Australia (5), Serbia (4), Japan (4) and Mali (3). ■
