Jackson Caps WCup Profession With Bronze, Australia Beats Canada

By DOUG FEINBERG, AP Basketball Writer

SYDNEY (AP) — Lauren Jackson admitted she could not have imagined a greater ending to her Hall of Fame profession.

Jackson willed Australia to a win within the bronze medal recreation at basketball’s World Cup, scoring 30 factors to steer the Opals to a 95-65 win over Canada on Saturday.

“I may have by no means dreamed of this,” Jackson stated. “I am unable to think about it. I am unable to truly articulate how I really feel proper now. It’s a dream come true. The indisputable fact that it is over, there’s nothing bittersweet. It’s so, so particular and I’ve the pleasure doing it right here. It’s been excellent.”

It was a throwback efficiency for the 41-year-old mother, who got here again to the Opals after retiring in 2016 due to accidents. Jackson stated on social media Saturday that this might be her last recreation for Australia and that she was “fortunate to have this chance to signify Australia and likewise say goodbye. I did not get that likelihood all these years in the past.”

“To say goodbye this manner is simply magnificent,” Jackson stated. “I could not think about that.”

She performed in 43 World Cup video games in her profession, matching Brazil’s Janeth Arcain for many all-time. Jackson received three bronze medals and led the Opals to their lone gold in 2006.

Australia (6-2) was coming off a disappointing last-minute loss to China within the medal spherical. After a sluggish begin, Jackson acquired the crew going scoring 9 factors within the opening 20 minutes as Australia led 51-43 on the break. Kia Nurse stored Canada within the recreation with 19 factors within the first half. She did not rating within the second half.

Jackson then took over scoring 12 of her factors within the third quarter when Australia prolonged the result in 71-54. Jackson, who had been used sparingly all through a lot of the match, broke out an array of publish strikes that have been harking back to her dominant MVP seasons within the WNBA enjoying for Seattle.

Her three-point play with 1:07 left within the third gave Australia a 17-point benefit — its greatest lead of the sport to that time.

Australia coach Sandy Brondello, who performed with Jackson on the nationwide crew, put Jackson again in with slightly below 6 minutes left and took her out to a rousing ovation with 2:22 remaining as she hit two free throws to finish her night time. Jackson acquired hugs from her teammates, who then lifted her up as soon as the ultimate buzzer.

“It was a fairytale ending and I could not be extra glad for her,” Brondello stated.

Canada (4-3) was searching for its first medal since 1986 when the North American nation received the bronze. Even with the loss, the Canadians superior additional than that they had in any World Cup in 36 years.

These two groups met in pool play with Australia coming away with a 75-72 win that helped them earn the highest seed within the group.

Jackson turned the all-time main scorer in World Cup medal-round video games, surpassing her buddy Diana Taurasi’s mark of 63. Jackson completed with 81. … Jackson has now scored over 30 factors in a medal recreation twice — the one participant to do it. She had 31 towards South Korea in 2002.

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