The Australian Opals got a confidence boost ahead of the looming women's world basketball championships by knocking over Olympic title-holders USA in a 'friendly'.
Missing star Lauren Jackson, who is still recovering from a concussion suffered in a WNBA game on July 3, the Opals out-played the Americans 87-72 overnight in Connecticut.
With both teams ensconced in training camps this week ahead of the September tournament, and the USA playing against a WNBA All-Star team the previous night, both coaches ran out their full squads, 15 players per team, in the encounter.
Victorian Jenna O'Hea continued her standout form on tour, top-scoring with 20 points on seven-of-11 shooting including three-of-five from beyond the arc. The 2009/10 WNBL All-Star added four rebounds and two assists.
Belinda Snell was in support with 13 points, four assists and three rebounds while Abby Bishop continued to reap the rewards of joining the WNBA and playing against world's best on a regular basis, finishing with 11 points, five rebounds and two steals.
Diana Taurasi, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury, and was the 2009 WNBA MVP led the USA with 11 points.
The Australians made a slow start but managed to hang with the USA in the first half, facing just a two-point deficit at halftime, 43-41.
But out-rebounding the USA 40-27 allowed the Aussies to pull ahead in the second half and take the win.