Australian Gangurrus v China/USA 3x3: Game Report

Australia’s 3x3 women's team, the Gangurrus, have stepped it up at the Paris Olympics, winning three straight games to sit in second place on the overall standings.

The Olympic debutants lost their first game against Canada, but have bounced back in style with wins against Germany, China and the USA across the last two days.

Only Spain sits above the Australians, with a greater win percentage in two victories from as many games.

With three games remaining for the Gangurrus, they’re putting themselves in prime position to move through to the Semi-Finals. The top two teams automatically qualify, while teams placed between third to sixth go into a play-in tournament and the two winners to advance.

On Thursday, Australian time, the Gangurrus claimed the scalps of 2020 gold medallists, the USA, and bronze medallists, China. 

“It’s two big wins,” Anneli Maley said. 

“We have to make sure we’re never too high or never too low.”

Ally Wilson was the star against China, with 9 of her team’s last 11 points, while Marena Whittle finished with 7 points and 4 rebounds. 

Following a 21-15 victory, the Australians then defeated USA 17-15, again led by 8 points from Wilson, 5 from Whittle, and 4 from Lauren Mansfield. 

“Lauren really stepped up today,” Maley added. “She was awesome.”

“We found a way to win.

“We played with so much heart and that’s what will get us over the line if we continue to do that.”

The Gangurrus take on Azerbaijan and the top-placed Spain on Friday, in what could be a defining game in the tournament, before closing the group stage on Sunday against host nation France. 

The team: Anneli Maley, Marena Whittle, Lauren Mansfield, Alex Wilson.