Mali hammered by Australia

Lauren Jackson tries to score in the match. (Photo credit: FIBA)Photo Gallery>>(BEIJING, August 4) -- African champion Mali proved no match against world champion Australia, who won 112-43 in the third day of the 2008 FIBA Diamond Ball for Women on August 4 in Haining, Zhejiang province, China.

Ranked 31st in the world, Mali is the weakest team in group B of the Olympic Women's Basketball tournament. Up against World No. 10 China, World No. 9 Czech Republic, World No. 16 New Zealand, World No. 5 Spain and World No.1 United States, Mali's chances for advancing to the knock-out round are low. Meanwhile, World No. 2 ranked Australia in group A is aiming for nothing short of a shot for Olympic gold. So, apart from their Diamond Ball match today, these two teams are not likely to meet each other in the Olympic Games unless Mali can produce a miracle.

This was why the tight score in the first quarter was the biggest surprise of the game. Australia shot eight three-pointers the whole quarter, but only scored twice. Thanks to their 50% two-point shooting, they ended the quarter leading 21-19. Mali mainly relied on individual effort with their mainstay Djenebou Sissoko scoring six points.

If the first 10 minutes were not enough for the Australian team to set the tone of the game, the next 10 were enough for them to win it. In the second quarter they scored 30 points while holding their opponents to just five points, putting the result of the game beyond a doubt when they went to the break 51-24. Both teams brought up bench players in the second half, but Australia still managed to crush Mali 112-43.

Five Australian got double-digit scores, led by 24 points from center Lauren Jackson. Sissoko was the top scorer on Mali's side, netting 14 points with just eight attempts.

The win put Australia on top of group A. They are likely to have a showdown in the final with the United States, who plays against Russia in the evening of August 4. Mali will play a final Diamond Ball match against the third place team of group B.

The final day of the Diamond Ball Tournament will be August 5.