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Rio de Janeiro • For once, Leilani Mitchell and her Australian teammates had an easy time in an Olympic basketball game.
After trailing at halftime of their first two victories, the Opals took control in the second quarter against France and rolled to an 89-71 victory in Group B preliminary play Tuesday.
Mitchell, a former University of Utah point guard, recorded three points and five assists in 24 minutes. WNBA veteran Penny Taylor led Australia with 31 points and nine assists, and Liz Cambage added 16 points.
Australia led 21-19 after the first quarter, before building a 46-29 halftime lead. The Opals shot 49 percent from the field.
The Aussies' remaining games in preliminary play are Thursday vs. Japan and Saturday vs. Brazil. The women's quarterfinals are Aug. 16.