20 August 2007 By Graham Croker
Sydney University Sport Scholarship holders Eva Afeaki, Melissa Smith and Georgia Woodyard will return to Australia with gold medals from the World University Games in Bangkok after Australia defeated Russia 85-65 in the final of the women’s basketball.
The Australians improved throughout the tournament and turned in a devastating display in the gold medal decider, establishing a 28-13 lead at quarter-time and a 47-30 lead at half-time.
With ACUVUE Sydney University Flames forward Woodyard in foul trouble, Russia capitalised to win the quarter 18-13 to trail 60-43 at three quarter time. But the Australians regrouped and ran away with the game.
After losing their opening game of the tournament to Brazil 58-53, the Australians defeated Turkey (96-62), China (68-41), Poland (66-62) and Canada (66-53) to reach the semi-finals where they defeat the Czech Republic 65-50 to earn a berth in the final.
Coach Carrie Graf (Canberra Capitals) said the Australians played our best game of the tournament when it mattered.
“We proved that we were typical of an Aussie team. We played great defence and were relentlessly persistent,” she said.
“We talked about what Australian teams do and the example the Opals have set and we wanted to be like Opals team and it is a credit to this group and the quality people that they are that we came together quickly and worked so hard for this.
“Sam Richards played a captain’s role, Jess Foley hit big shots and it was just a great team effort.
“Our only loss was to Brazil, who were very unorthodox, but as it turned out they finished last in the tournament which is a little embarrassing and I am sure they will celebrate beating the gold medal team,” Graf said.
“This team adjusted very well to all the different styles of game here and in hindsight that loss to Brazil was a good thing.”
Afeaki suffered a knee injury in the semi-final, forcing her to miss the final along with Laura Thomas (University of Portland) who had an ear infection.
Australia 85 (Richards 26, Foley 21, Hurst 15) d Russia 65 (Psareva 26, Belyakova 12).
