Vital late-game points and team-high assists from Lauren Mansfield has guided Australia to a third straight Asia Women’s Cup win to top their pool group.
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The Opals in the process broke reigning champion Japan’s 17-game tournament winning streak for a 83-74 triumph on Tuesday night.
Mansfield had been held scoreless for the first three quarters, but she came into her own in the fourth.
The 27-year-old Opals rookie picked up all of her five points, four of seven assists and two of four rebounds during the final term.
The Launceston point guard’s long range shot in the opening minute after the interval hit a massive three.
Minutes later Mansfield displayed she has a future at the international game when she drove a classic shake-and-bake to the basket for two points.
Australia is now set to next play North Korea in a crucial quarter-final game on Thursday.
The cutthroat clash is arguably the most important of the tournament, with the loser missing a qualifying spot at next year’s FIBA World Cup in Spain.