Shock basketball result

Press, 27 September 1988, Page 25

Shock basketball result

NZPA-Reuter Seoul The Soviet Union suffered its first defeat in Olympic women’s basketball on Sunday, beaten 6048 by Australia. The shock result lifted Australia past the Russians in the group A standings and gave them a semi-final date with Yugoslavia today. The Soviet Union, twice champions since women’s basketball was introduced to the Games in 1976, still reached the last four. It plays the United States. “This is the biggest vic-

tory ever for Australia,” said the coach, Robert Cadee. Mr Cadee gave thanks to the former Olympic swimming champion, Dawn Fraser, who gave a pep talk to the team at practice. “I invited Dawn into practice to help prepare the girls for the Soviets. We felt we needed mental toughness.” Mr Cadee said Ms Fraser, now a member of state parliament in New South Wales, helped motivate the team.

The Soviet Union took a 29-19 lead in the first half, but Australia turned up the defensive pressure and held it scoreless for nearly five minutes to pull even at 30-30 by halftime. Australia kept up the defensive effort in the second half and gummed up the Soviets’ fast break by running down the clock each time down court and then clearing out to let the guards, Robyn Maher and Michele Timms, go one-on-one to the basket.