Mitchell: "To deliver for Opals is a dream all of us live for"

ISTANBUL (FIBA World Championship for Women) - Leilani Mitchell was one of two players who sacrificed her WNBA season in favour of taking part in Australia's preparations for the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women.

But the 29-year-old's decision to skip a possible season with the New York Liberty has been generally overshadowed by the injury suffered by Liz Cambage, the other player who did something similar in the Opals' campaign.

On Friday, Mitchell came up with her best performance at Turkey 2014 and shot into the headlines helping the 2006 FIBA World Championship for Women winners beat Canada 63-52.

Mitchell scored more points in the first half of the game - 10 in total, five in each quarter - than she had in the Opals' three wins in the Group Phase as Australia booked their place in the Semi-Finals for the fifth time in the last six editions of the FIBA World Championship for Women.

Mitchell didn't add to those 10 points, but her role in the first half was the surprise package in Australia catching Canada off guard.

It was just doing what the team needed me to do. - Mitchell

"The coach didn't ask me for anything special. I was just doing what I am good at. I was just shooting the ball," said the 29-year-old.

"We are one big team. Each of us has a role and each of us plays that role to our best. To deliver for the Opals is a dream all of us live for."

Opals coach Brendan Joyce explained that Mitchell displayed the spirit his team is known for.

"It's just a part of the Aussie tradition to step up when the need comes," he said.

"She's a very good shooter.

"But I'm really pleased on the defensive end of the floor. I think we are improving with every game in that aspect."

Penny Taylor was the driving force behind the win with 8 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal.

"Today's game was no different from every game we have played in this tournament. We came out with the same focus as we had in the previous three games," she said afterwards.

"Everyone was well prepared and we were ready to play 24 seconds of defense every time we were on the floor."

Canadian power forward Miranda Ayim too had her best game for the tournament with 11 points and 7 rebounds. The 187-cm 26-year-old took a lot of positive from Canada's progress in the tournament.

"We are looking to finish the tournament with as many wins as possible," she said.

"It (the defeat) hurts us. But despite the defeat, it's an exciting time for Canada basketball. We have some young players and some returning players who are playing like they are young. It is definitely on the way up."

FIBA