Tears flow after clutch block, starring performance from Ezi Magbegor deliver bronze medal for Opals

PARIS: Tears flowed in emotional scenes at the buzzer as a clutch Steph Talbot block and a starring performance from Ezi Magbegor clinched the Opals the bronze medal against Belgium.

A towering figure on both ends of the floor, Magbegor was the glue that held an at-times shaky performance together, scoring a game-high 30 points and producing a highlight reel fourth quarter block as the Opals wrestled back momentum and held on to win a tense battle 85-81.

Magbegor appeared to have sealed it after hitting both free throws to make it 81-75 with 1:17 to play when she got a free trip up the floor after being clattered by a Belgium player as they fought over a loose ball. But a clutch three-pointer from Belgium's Antonia Delaere with 1:05 still left on the clock put the game back in the balance.

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With a three-point lead, the Opals ran down the shot clock with their next possession but failed to score, leaving Belgium a chance to draw within one or level it with a three-pointer. And their ball movement created an opportunity for Delaere, who pulled the trigger on a three only for Talbot to scurry to make the close in a stunning defensive play, blocking the shot and effectively clinching the bronze medal for the Opals.

Seconds later tears flowed as a jubilant Opals team ran to each other for a group hug before greeting their families and supporters in the stands.

Cayla George, who played nine minutes off the bench and added defensive starch, was visibly emotional as she was interviewed after full-time.

"Oh it's everything," she said, breaking down in tears. "I don't know if I'll be able to speak. "Third Olympics and to be with these girls and to win a medal, I'm just speechless, I'm so over the moon.

"I'm just overwhelmed, I'm very overwhelmed clearly."

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While 35-year-old George was one of several Opals stalwarts to make the squad for Paris, the most decorated of them, 43-year-old legend Lauren Jackson was not required for the bronze medal game.

One of the biggest points of debate throughout the Olympic campaign has been Jackson's role on the team after she came out of retirement and was picked for her fifth Games.

Jackson has been a peripheral figure on the court, playing five minutes in the Opals' semi-final loss to the USA and taking no part in two of the group games before being confined to the bench in the bronze medal game against Belgium.

One of the most celebrated figures in the sport, Jackson has not yet confirmed her retirement from international basketball but is likely to announce it in the coming days.

She told media at Bercy Arena that she enjoyed being able to celebrate the win over Belgium from the bench, rather than being on the court in clutch time as has been the case for almost the entirety of her illustrious career.

"It was amazing. It's so special. The girls were remarkable tonight, especially under pressure, down the stretch, it was... I know it's hard for the girls on the court, but gee it's fun to watch," she said.

The win against Belgium sealed a fifth Olympic medal for Jackson, three silvers and two bronze.

"I feel really lucky," she said.

While Jackson's reign is almost certainly over, she had a courtside seat to watch another potential superstar dominate in green and gold. Jackson was effusive in her praise for Magbegor, saying "no one" could stop her when she was at her best.

"Ezi's talented and I'm so glad she had this platform and this game today for people to see just how talented she is," Jackson said.

"Heading into the future she really is the centrepiece of this team and people have seen it now, everyone knows what she can do."

Now 24, Magbegor has been in the national team setup since she was 17 and Jackson said she was ready to dominate and potentially spearhead a campaign that nets a gold medal at a major competition, breaking the USA's stranglehold of Olympics and World Championships.

"No one can stop her, that's the thing and I think for Ez it's about believing in herself and tonight I think she proved to herself that she can carry the team and that's what she did."