RIO DE JANEIRO (Rio 2016 Olympic Games) - Australia used a strong second-half performance to overcome a 14-point deficit and beat Brazil, 84-66, at the Youth Arena on Saturday evening.

The hosts led 28-14 early in the second quarter in large part thanks to captain Iziane Castro, who hit her first seven shot attempts and had 18 first-half points. However, she cooled down and it was the turn of the Opals to heat up - especially from three-point range - in the second half to open their Group A campaign with a comfortable win.

Turning Point: Damiris Dantas hit a three-pointer midway through the third quarter to put Brazil up 47-40. Australia responded with a 23-6 run - capped off by Cayla George connecting from behind the arc - that gave them their first double-digit lead of the game, 63-53, with 8:02 left to play and held on to the momentum the rest of the way. 

Stats Don't Lie: Australia turned the game around by outscoring the hosts 49-27 in the second half. After going 1-of-6 from three-point range in the first two quarters, the Opals were 9-of-13 from beyond the arc after the break. 

Game Hero: While Liz Cambage (20 points and 14 rebounds) and Penny Taylor (17 points) did the damage around the basket and at the free-throw line to keep Australia in the game, it was Leilani Mitchell (18 points, including 3-of-5 from three-point range) and George (9 points, all on three-pointers) who hit clutch baskets from beyond the arc to turn the contest into the Opals' favour for good over the last 15 minutes.

The Bottom Line: Despite falling behind by double digits in the first quarter, Australia did not panic and that calm demeanour paid off as they gradually wore out Brazil the rest of the way to emerge victorious. They won't have too much time to celebrate as they face Turkey on Sunday. The Brazilians will get to reflect on this game and rest on Sunday, before facing Japan on Monday.

FIBA