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Burton and Opals Improve to 2-0
August 07, 2016 08:45 PM | Women's Basketball
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia University’s Natalie Burton and the Australian Opals improved to 2-0 in Group A women’s basketball play, while Yelena Leuchanka and Belarus suffered another heartbreaking defeat to France on Sunday at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games held at the Youth Arena in Rio de Janerio, Brazil.
For a second consecutive night, Australia rallied from behind to upend Turkey, 61-56. Belarus fell 73-72 after France’s Isabelle Yacoubou made a buzzer-beating jump shot.
Australia trailed early in the first half and eventually overtook Turkey in the second half. Turkey had just three individuals score a basket for 36 minutes of the game, before two more added buckets in the final four minutes. Liz Cambage paced the Opals with 22 points and 11 rebounds. WVU’s Burton had an effective game, scoring two points, collecting a steal and finishing with a +6 plus-minus rating in 25 minutes of action.
Once again, Belarus found itself in a tough matchup on Sunday. The Red and Green held a strong lead late in the second half, but France stormed back for a see-saw affair in the final few minutes. Lindsey Harding’s two free throws with 11 seconds remaining put Belarus up 72-71. However, France’s Yacoubou grabbed two offensive rebounds and made a game-winning jump shot as time expired.
Leuchanka, a 2006 West Virginia University graduate, registered a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Through two games, Leuchanka is tied for third in the tournament with a 22.0 efficiency rating.
Australia and Belarus have Monday off before resuming Group A action on Tuesday, Aug. 9. The Opals are slated to play France in an 11:15 a.m. ET tilt, while Belarus takes on host country Brazil at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Both games are streamed live at NBCOlympics.com. Group action will continue for the next week with Australia and Belarus playing three more games. The top four teams in Group A and B will advance to the quarterfinal stage.
Tuesday, Aug. 9 Schedule
11:15 a.m. ET (NBCOlympics.com) - Natalie Burton – Australia vs. France
2:30 p.m. ET (NBCOlympics.com) - Yelena Leuchanka – Belarus vs. Brazil
11:15 a.m. ET (NBCOlympics.com) - Natalie Burton – Australia vs. France
2:30 p.m. ET (NBCOlympics.com) - Yelena Leuchanka – Belarus vs. Brazil
Group A Standings
Team Record Points
Australia 2-0 4
France 2-0 4
Japan 1-0 2
Brazil 0-1 0
Belarus 0-2 0
Turkey 0-2 0
Team Record Points
Australia 2-0 4
France 2-0 4
Japan 1-0 2
Brazil 0-1 0
Belarus 0-2 0
Turkey 0-2 0
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