World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Sami busts 4-for-7 threes as Opals fend off Japan

Samantha Whitcomb (178-G-1988, college: Washington) delivered a captain’s performance with 17 points as the Australian Opals dominated the glass and surged late to defeat Japan 81–71 in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Türkiye. The Opals ground out a physical win against the Japanese on March 12, 2026 (AEDT), lifting defensively in the final quarter to take control. “We really liked the grit that we showed in that second half, in particular that fourth quarter,” Whitcomb said. “Japan’s a great team and they made a really great run after I thought we started the game pretty well. “Things weren’t going our way. We’d make a run and then they’d hit a couple of tough threes, but I thought we did a great job of hanging in there and fighting defensively. “Talbs (Steph Talbot (188-F-1994)) hit a couple of really huge threes and that brought us back in.” Australian Opals and Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello said: “It was a great hit-out for us. “I explained to them that Japan were going to have some urgency because they need to win. They’re trying to qualify and do something big here. “You’re not always going to have a great first half at a tournament, but we found some grit in that third quarter, and the group we had on the floor were elite defensively. Our defence created our offence, and that is our identity.” Whitcomb, 37, was Australia’s most reliable scoring outlet in a contest defined by physicality and defensive pressure.
She led all Australian scorers with 17 points, shooting:
6-from-10 from the field

4-from-7 from three

1-of-1 from the free-throw line

WNBA centre Eziyoda Magbegor (193-C-1999) again set the tone inside as the Opals controlled the rebounding battle. Magbegor produced another balanced performance:
14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists

6-from-12 from the field

Her ability to operate as both a finisher and facilitator helped stabilise Australia’s offence against Japan’s aggressive perimeter defence. Alongside Magbegor, reigning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith (193-F-1996, college: Stanford) anchored the Opals’ interior defence with nine rebounds and three blocks, helping Australia finish with a commanding 51–27 advantage on the glass. Off the bench, Zitina Aokuso (193-F/C-1998) provided a crucial spark with 10 points, 7 rebounds (four offensive) Her work on the offensive boards helped Australia generate 21 second-chance points, a decisive factor in the second half.
Courtesy of: basketball.com.au