Australia's Bec Allen is attended to by medical staff after an injury during their game at the women's Basketball World Cup against Serbia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
The Associated Press
SYDNEY (AP) - Bec Allen was instrumental in Australia's 69-54 win over Serbia scoring 16 points on Sunday in the World Cup.
But her status for the rest of the tournament is in question after getting hurt in the fourth quarter.
Allen was diving for a loose ball in front of the Australia bench when she took a knee to her midsection. She was down on the court for a few minutes before she was helped off by team trainers. She was later taken in a wheelchair to the back with about 20 seconds left in the game.
'œWe'll have to wait for the doctor and see,'ť Australia coach Sandy Brondello said. 'œIt would be really unfortunate as she's played really well for us and she's a key member of our team.'ť
Australia (2-1) avenged a loss to Serbia earlier in the year in a World Cup qualifier.
In other games on Sunday, France beat Mali 74-59 and Canada topped Japan 70-56.
The Opals jumped out to a 18-10 lead after one quarter which delighted the pro-Australian crowd of 9,329 fans. Lauren Jackson scored five points in the period and the team played stellar defense, forcing Serbia into four shotclock violations.
Australia still led by eight at the half and started to pull away in the third quarter. Sami Whitcomb, who added 10 points, had to briefly leave the game in the third quarter when she took a shot to the bridge of her nose, opening up a cut. She sat out for a few minutes while medics stopped the bleeding before returning.
Serbia never really threatened the rest of the way.
Yvonne Anderson scored 16 points to lead Serbia (1-2).
CANADA 70, JAPAN 56
Bridget Carleton scored 19 points and Shay Colley added 13 to help Canada stay perfect in pool play and advance to the quarterfinals.
Canada (3-0) led 28-25 in the second quarter before scoring the final 13 points of the half to blow the game open. Colley had five points during the game-changing run.
Every time Japan (1-2) tried to make a run in the second half, Canada would have an answer.
Japan, which won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year, is in danger of missing the quarterfinals.
Maki Takada scored 11 to lead Japan.
FRANCE 74, MALI 59
Gabby Williams scored 14 points and Alexia Chartereau added 12 to help France beat Mali.
France (2-1) got off to a slow start, trailing 21-17 after the first quarter. Mali led 29-26 midway through the second period before the French closed the half on a 16-3 run.
Mali (0-3) was able to get within 65-57 midway through the fourth quarter before Williams found Sarah Michel for a 3-pointer and France led by double-digits the rest of the way. Williams also had seven rebounds and six assists.
'œThey played really tough tonight,'ť Williams said. 'œIt wasn't as pretty a win as you wanted. They played really hard, but I'm proud of my team.'ť
Sika Kone led Mali (0-3) with 18 points and 18 rebounds, one short of the World Cup record held by three players, including U.S. great Katrina McClain.
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Australia's Sami Whitcomb reacts after she was hit in the face with the ball during their game at the women's Basketball World Cup against Serbia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
The Associated Press
Australia's Bec Allen is taken from the arena by medical staff after an injury during their game at the women's Basketball World Cup against Serbia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
The Associated Press
Serbia's Yvonne Anderson, centre, attempts to pass Australia's Bec Allen, left, and Steph Talbot during their game at the women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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France's Gabby Williams lays up for a shot at goal as Mali's Sika Kone, right, attempts to block during their game at the women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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France's Mamignan Toure collides with Mali's Kankou Coulibaly, left, and Alima Dembele, right, as she attempts a shot at goalduring their game at the women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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France's Marieme Badiane, centre, competes for the ball with Mali's Salimatou Kourouma, left, and Sika Kone during their game at the women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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France's Gabby Williams takes a shot during their game at the women's Basketball World Cup against Mali in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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Australia's Steph Talbot runs at the Serbia defense during their game at the women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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Australia's Steph Talbot, left, runs into Serbia's Ivana Raca during their game at the women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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Australia's Bec Allen is assisted from the court during their game at the women's Basketball World Cup against Serbia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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Canada's Laeticia Amihere, centre, competes for the ball with Japan's Himawari Akaho, left, and Ramu Tokashiki during their game at the women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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Japan's Saori Miyazaki, left, attempts to regather the ball during their game at the women's Basketball World Cup against Canada in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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Canada's Nirra Fields shoots for goal as Japan's Monica Okoye attempts to block during their game at the women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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Canada's Nirra Fields, right, runs past Japan's Saori Miyazaki during their game at the women's Basketball World Cup in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
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