'New legacy': Aokuso leads Opals into semis

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Opals big Zitina Aokuso said her Australian teammates would not get ahead of themselves after beating arch-rival Japan in their third game of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup in China on Tuesday, July 15.

"We just have to keep focusing on what we can do better each game," Aokuso said.

"We're taking it day by day, and we’ll see who we come up against in the finals. We’ll go from there.

I thought it was a good hit-out for the girls. We wanted to build a new legacy with this new team, and I think beating Japan was huge for us.

"Credit to the girls — we weren’t showing our best in the first half, but we made sure we came out and finished it strong in the second."

The Opals held Japan to just 16 second-half points to win 79-67 at Shenzhen Sports Center. The Opals were down 51-42 at the half.

The Opals are the first team to lock in a semi-finals berth.

"It was a great game of basketball between two very good teams," Opals head coach Paul Goriss said.

"We know Japan very well and respect them as an opponent. We know how good they are in transition and from the three-point line.

"I think we did a poor job of that in the first half. But, credit to the team and our girls — the way they defended in the second half, holding Japan to 16 points, is a credit to their toughness and their ability to play together.

"Getting those stops allowed us to get out and run, which really changed the momentum of the game.

Goriss singled out Steph Reid for her toughness on the defensive end of the floor and Aokuso strength on offense.

"We had contributions across the board, but Steph leads from the front with her full-court defensive pressure, her playmaking ability for herself and others, and her capacity to attack the paint and get downhill," he said.

"Zitina’s presence is also critical — she sets great screens, she’s a post target, and she makes the right decisions.

"She’s a playmaker with the ball in her hands and came up with some crucial plays around the basket — not just as a post presence, but also through her rebounding and setting up teammates."

Key Details

• Result: Australia 79 def. Japan 67
• When: July 15, 2025
• Where: Shenzhen Sports Center, China

By the Numbers

• Stephanie Reid (Australia) starred with 15 points, nine assists and two steals in 32 minutes.
• Stephanie Mawuli (Japan) scored 19 points and had four rebounds in 28 minutes.

What Happened

The Opals began strongly with a 26-22 first-quarter advantage, but Japan seized control in the second period behind Mawuli's exceptional 14-point quarter. The Japanese built an 11-point lead before heading into halftime with a 51-42 advantage, leaving Australia searching for answers.

Coach Paul Goriss's halftime adjustments sparked a remarkable defensive transformation for the Opals. Australia held Japan to just eight points in the third quarter, gradually erasing the deficit until Reid orchestrated a late surge that tied the game at 59-all heading into the final period.

Blicavs delivered the decisive blow with consecutive baskets at the 7:01 mark of the fourth quarter, giving Australia a 65-61 lead they would never relinquish. The defensive intensity continued as the Opals limited Japan to just eight points in the final frame. Reid's layup and assist to Blicavs for a three-pointer with 38.9 seconds remaining sealed the victory.

Australia's bench provided outstanding support, with Zitina Aokuso contributing 14 points and eight rebounds on efficient 4-from-6 shooting. The Opals dominated the glass with a 44-33 rebounding advantage, including 18 offensive boards that led to crucial second-chance opportunities.

The victory secured Australia the top spot in Group B with a perfect 3-0 record and snapped a four-game losing streak against Japan in Women's Asia Cup competition. For Japan (2-1), who shot just 39.6 percent and committed 17 turnovers, the loss means they'll finish second in Group B and face the third seed from Group A in the qualification round.