Australia crush India in their Basketball competition opener

Melbourne, Mar 16 (UNI) Spearheaded by Lauren Jackson, who top-scored with 41, formidable Australia taught a lesson in the game to Indian women cagers shattering them 146-46 in their opening league match of the Basketball competition in the Commonwealth Games here today.

It was a fight between unequals. On one side was a thoroughly professional team and on the other side was a fledgling side trying to figure out as how to stay put on the court against their ruthless rivals.

Australians showed no mercy to the Indians despite coming to know that their rivals are novice in the game. The realisation dawned on the hosts in the very first quarter of the match in which they led 41-6, but that seemed to have annoyed them more and hence this severe punishment.

Ranked 41st in the World, the Indian women were pitted against the team which had one of the world's best basketballers -- Lauren Jackson -- in their ranks.

Basketball is making its debut in the Games and Australians are determined to win the gold, but for the Indians who had come here for getting good exposure got thoroughly exposed.

The Indian girls just had no clue against the assault launched and directed by Lauren Jackson who has played in WNBA team Seattle Storm, WNBA All Star, besides being a member of the team which won two Olympic silver medals and two world championship bronze medals.

The pace of the game depended on the mood of the Australians as they dictated the pace. They drubbed the Indians in the first quarter, slackened the pace in the second in which Indians managed to add 14 more points as against 31 by their rivals.

The third quarter saw Australians again tightening the noose around the Indians with stunning passes and throws and the Indians were left with no option but to watch them with awe and admiration.

This penultimate quarter saw the hosts adding up 33 points to their lead while Indians managed measely ten to go into the last quarter 105-30.

The last session was a massacre with 41 points being added to the victorious team's kitty and the Indians ending with 16 points.

For the losers, only Anita Pauldurai could cross the double figures. She had 21 poiints to her credit.

Scores: Australia: 146 (Lauren Jackson 41, Belinda Snell 21, Hollie Grima 19, Jacinta Hamilton 11) India: 46 (Anitha Pauldurai 21, Ann Geethu Jose 8, Arnika Gujar 9) UNI HSB PDS PM1744