Australia trips up US team 83-77 in exhibition ahead of world championships

Australia trips up US in exhibition

SALAMANCA, Spain — Jenna O’Hea scored 24 points and Australia’s women’s basketball team beat the United States 83-77 Friday in a tuneup for the world championships.

Tina Charles had 18 points and seven rebounds for the U.S., which will play the loser of a later game between Spain and Senegal. Lindsay Whalen added 13 points.

The United States took a one-point lead with less than 10 minutes left, but Australia scored the next nine points to put it away.

Penny Taylor scored 18 points for the Opals and Elizabeth Cambage added 17.

The world championships begin Thursday in the Czech Republic.