Opals rebound from Olympics 'disaster' as X-factor comes up clutch ...

The Opals have done what they needed to do, bouncing back from what Lauren Jackson described as a “disaster” against Nigeria to beat Canada 70-65 on Thursday night.

While another loss wouldn’t have necessarily spelled the end of Australia’s Olympics campaign, it would have left the Opals in a precarious position heading into Monday morning’s (5am) game against France.

But the Opals took full advantage against a sloppy Canada team that shot just 35 per cent from the field, with bench X-factor Cayla George providing a much-needed scoring boost for Australia.

It was an important win for the Opals. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

George had a pair of 3-pointers, including one just prior to the buzzer in the second quarter, before adding a few big buckets down the stretch in the fourth on her way to 11 points.

Elsewhere, Sami Whitcomb was a steady presence throughout the entire game and finished with 19 points, 10 assists and five rebounds, while Marianna Tolo expertly executed her role off the bench with 11 points.

Ezi Magbegor and Whitcomb were the standouts for the Opals in the first quarter, combining to go 6-for-6 from the field and scoring 16 of Australia’s 18 points.

Canada jumped out to a 5-0 lead before the Opals, having missed their first three field goal attempts of the game, turned defence into offence off a Magbegor block.

The Seattle Storm star converted the fastbreak opportunity on the other end and then Whitcomb, Australia’s leading scorer in the loss to Nigeria, drained a 3-pointer to tie it up.

Ezi Magbegor was strong early. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)Source: AFP

After a clean start, turnovers started to creep in for the Opals as a Bridget Carleton steal saw Kia Nurse put Canada back up 8-5 but Magbegor answered on the following possession with a triple to level the game once more.

Whitcomb was the one setting that 3-point look up, although she made her second of the night soon after to give Australia an 11-8 lead.

While the Opals were having success with their outside shooting early in the game, Lauren Jackson had two looks at the rim blocked by Kayla Alexander.

Magbegor though was having an immediate impact in the first quarter, scoring with a nice spin move on another fastbreak opportunity after a Steph Talbot rebound.

The Opals pushed their buffer out to 18-11 at one point before Canada finished the quarter on a 5-0 run, carrying the momentum into the second to open up a 21-18 lead as Carleton racked up another steal and 3-pointer.

Meanwhile, after a rough start, Talbot started to find her rhythm with a pair of driving layups to level the game up at 24-all.

The Opals fought hard for the win. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)Source: AFP

Kurse quickly put Canada back ahead with an and-1 before George made an immediate impact as she hit a 3-pointer 17 seconds after checking into the game.

It was the start of a scoring flurry from the Opals, who went ahead 33-27.

Even if the shots weren’t always falling for Talbot, she did well after one missed attempt to hustle for the rebound and then hand it off to Whitcomb before cutting to the basket for what ended up being an easy finish.

The Opals closed out the quarter with a bang as Whitcomb whipped a pass to George who made her second 3-pointer of the period, putting Australia ahead 38-32.

Canada was able to reduce the deficit to 44-42 midway through the third quarter as the Opals struggled to get back into an offensive rhythm, turning the ball over five times.

Despite the lack of consistent offensive production in the quarter, Australia stepped up on the defensive end to maintain a 51-44 lead heading into the fourth.

Bridget Carleton was one of Canada’s best while Isobel Borlase scored her first points in the win. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)Source: AFP

There was also a highlight moment for 19-year-old Isobel Borlase late in the quarter as she scored her first Olympic debut after a Whitcomb steal.

The Opals made a perfect start to the fourth, with a George 3-pointer extending their lead out to a game-high 13 points before Canada threatened to make things interesting as they closed the gap to 62-55.

But the Talbot-Tolo connection provided back-to-back paint points for the Opals when they needed them most and Australia went on to close it out, claiming a much-needed win.

It was fitting that an and-1 from Whitcomb helped seal the deal for the Opals, with the 36-year-old continuing to star in her Olympics debut.

The Opals are next in action on Monday morning, where they play host nation France at 5am in their final game of the group stage.

Obviously winning that game is the Opals’ best bet to qualify for the quarter-finals, although should the USA beat Belgium overnight, it would leave two 0-2 teams in the other two groups which increases Australia’s chances of being one of the better third-placed teams.