August 11, (THEWILL) – Australia defeated Belgium 85-81 in the women’s basketball bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics on Sunday, returning to the podium for the first time since 2012.
The game was closely contested throughout, with the lead changing hands 15 times. Australia held a narrow one-point advantage at halftime, but Belgium fought back to take a slim lead into the final quarter.
In a decisive fourth quarter, Australia outscored Belgium 26-19 to claim victory. Ezi Magbegor starred for Australia with an impressive 30 points, 13 rebounds and three assists.
The win marks Australia’s first Olympic medal in women’s basketball since their bronze at the London 2012 Games. For Belgium, it was a valiant effort that fell just short of their first Olympic basketball medal.
The United States will aim for their eighth consecutive Olympic gold medal when they face France in the final later on Sunday.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
