THE Australian Defence Force Opals women’s basketball team scored two emphatic victories over world number four Brazil.
In the opening game of their two-match series in Wollongong on Monday night, the Opals won 99-62.
Lauren Jackson was at her dominant best for the Opals, scoring a game-high 19 points and adding seven rebounds, three steals and one block in just 22 minutes on court.
Penny Taylor added 17 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two blocks and one steal and Belinda Snell contributed 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Claudia Maria Des Neves led the Brazilians with 12 points while Patricia De Oliveira Ferreira and Karla Cristina Martins Da Costa added 11 apiece.
The Opals swept the series after recording an 85-62 victory at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night, despite the absence of superstar Lauren Jackson.
Suzy Batkovic top-scored for the Opals with 17 points, adding six rebounds and six steals.
Belinda Snell added 13 points and three other players contributed nine points apiece. Snell was also named the series’ Most Valuable Player.
Jackson was forced out of the game after pulling up with soreness in her right ankle following the team’s morning training session.
She underwent a precautionary MRI for what was later diagnosed as an anterior impingement and will follow a course of rest and anti-inflamatories.