17 August 2007 By Graham Croker
Sydney University Sport Scholarship holders Eva Afeaki, Melissa Smith and Georgia Woodyard are just a game away from winning a gold medal at the World University Games being held in Bangkok, Thailand.
The three a members of the Australian women’s basketball team that progressed to the gold medal game after defeating the Czech Republic 65-50 in the major semi-final.
The Australians won their way into the final on the back of four consecutive wins, beating Turkey (96-62), China (68-41), Poland (66-62) and Canada (66-53) after losing their opening game to Brazil, 58-53.
With the scores deadlocked at 15-all after a tough first quarter against the Czech Republic, the Australians opened up a five point 30-25 half-time lead after taking the second term 15-10.
The Czechs matched the Australians’ rebounding physicality in the third term but the Aussies hustled hard in defence, allowing them to win the quarter 18-16 and lead 48-41 with one term to go. The Australians dominated the final quarter 14-9 to register a 12-point win.
With the final being played tonight (Friday), Afeaki, Smith and Woodyard, who play for the ACUVUE Sydney University Flames, will be celebrating either gold or silver come tomorrow morning.
