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The Defence Jobs Opals have advanced to the semi finals of the 2006 FIBA world basketball championship for women in Sao Paulo today after a resounding 13 point defeat of upstart France, 79-66.

Lauren Jackson top scored for Australia with 19 points and 11 rebounds. She leads the tournament in scoring and is third in rebounding. Penny Taylor scored 18 points while Jennifer Screen and Jenny Whittle scored 7 points each in support.

Sandrine Gruda scored 15 points to lead France.

The Aussie victory sets up a rematch with host nation Brazil, who defeated the Czech Republic 75-51. The Opals defeated Brazil in the Group stage by 11 points, 83-72.

The unconfirmed game time for the semi final is 4:15am Friday AEST. There is a strong possibility the time will be revised, for television.

Australia was determined to control the game from the outset and led 23-13 after one quarter.

A second quarter of dogged defence stretched Australia’s lead to 14 points at the half, 42-28.

The young French team that beat powerhouse Russia in the group stage showed cohesion in the third quarter to keep Australia on their game, but even with stars Jackson and Taylor on the bench the Aussies maintained control.

France continued their fight in the fourth quarter but Australia was too strong and held on for a satisfying quarter final victory, without hitting top gear.

In related news, Russia defeated Spain 60-56, Brazil defeated the Czech Republic 75-51 and Argentina scraped past Cuba 76-73.

AUSTRALIA 79 – Jackson 19, Taylor 18, Whittle 7, Screen 7
FRANCE 66 – Gruda 15, Gomis 11, Gillespie 10