Sapphires to play for bronze medal after France loss
The Australian Sapphires will play for a bronze medal after falling to a powerful France side in the FIBA under-17 Women’s World Cup on Sunday.
The Sapphires led by 15 points at half-time after an exceptional opening half from their guards but the size, might and relentless pressure of the French proved too much in the second half as they claimed a 68-58 win.
France will play USA for gold while the Sapphires, who won this event in 2016, and Hungary will play for bronze.
Isabel Palmer (17 points) and Lily Scanlon (12 points) burned in the opening half helping the Sapphires to a 36-21 half-time lead but the French came back with a vengeance in the second half, with a full-court press and zone defence that the Australians could find no answers for.
This year’s Sapphires have had big contributions from Shyla Heal (11 points, eight rebounds, five assists) and Isobel Anstey, the daughters of Australian greats Shane Heal and Chris Anstey, but both were well held by the French who had their own second-generation stars.
Star centre Iliana Rupert led France with 20 points, 14 rebounds, four steals and six blocks while Zoe Wadoux (16 points), Kendra Chery (11) and Marine Fauthoux (11) all stepped up in the second half.
Rupert is the daughter of long-time French international Thierry Rupert while Fauthoux’s father Frederic Fauthoux also enjoyed a decorated career with the national team.
The Sapphires will play Hungary in the bronze medal game on Monday at 1am AEST.