Puerto Rico falls to Australia, 70-54, in its Berlin World Cup opener

Puerto Rico came within one point of Australia before the Opals ended the comeback attempt with an 11-0 run and won their Berlin World Cup opener 70-54.

Australia started forcefully, opening a 17-4 lead. Puerto Rico responded through Brianna Jones and Trinity San Antonio, cutting the deficit to eight points by the end of the first quarter. Jones and San Antonio continued to score early in the second, bringing Puerto Rico within three before Alana Smith restored Australia’s cushion.

A zone defense kept Puerto Rico in the contest. Australia managed only occasional scores, while Zaida González, San Antonio and Meléndez helped cut the margin to 35-32. Puerto Rico then forced four Australian turnovers in a few minutes and moved within 37-36 through Pamela Rosado and Arella Guirantes.

That was as close as Puerto Rico got. Australia’s decisive 11-0 sequence opened the gap to 51-38, and the Opals maintained their pressure in the final quarter. Talbot finished with 19 points, followed by Ezi Magbegor with 11 and Smith with 10. Guirantes led Puerto Rico with 14, while Imani McGee Stafford and San Antonio each added 11.

Puerto Rico will return to the court on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 5:45 p.m. CET against Belgium, the reigning European champion.