Lauren Jackson rips Opals teammates after 'disaster' start to Olympics basketball campaign

Australian basketball great Lauren Jackson did not hold back in her assessment of the Opals' performance against Nigeria as an Olympic Games horror show left them on the brink of going home. The No.3-ranked Australians were beaten comprehensively 75-62 by African champions Nigeria in Lille on Monday.

World No.12 Nigeria had not won a game at the Olympics since 2004 until Monday night's 13-point win. And following the Opals' implosion, Jackson said some hard truths would need to be shared with her teammates. Sandy Brondello's side turned the ball over a staggering 26 times and made less than half of their free throws, eight-of-18, in their shock loss.

Jackson, who was making her return to the Olympics for the first time since London's 2012 edition, was solid enough, finishing with six points and two rebounds in 12 minutes. But as a whole the Opals put in a shocker, denting Jackson's hopes of a fifth Olympic medal in what is her fifth Olympics.

And she couldn't hide her disappointment after the game. "That was a really poor showing. It's going to take a lot of work, a lot of introspective work," Jackson said. "The turnovers killed us. It was really difficult to get the ball inside and then when we did, we didn't do anything with it. We've dug ourselves a bit of a hole here ... we've got to do better, each and every one of us."

She added: "Free throws will win or lose you the game. We make our free throws, it's a different ball game. It's a momentum changer as well."

Australia must now be perfect from here on out. They'll play world No.5 Canada on Thursday and No.7 France on Sunday, with only the pool's top two sides guaranteed a berth in Paris's quarter-final stage. But Aussie basketball fans have seemingly lost faith in the Opals winning their next two games at the Olympics after their Monday night horror show.

Australia's turnovers prove costly in Nigeria defeat

The Opals, who are without a medal in their last two Olympic campaigns, began Monday's game with confidence and style, up 8-2 early and looking in cruise control. However, before long turnover after turnover cost momentum.

The turnovers were so contagious that Marianna Tolo was the only Opal who took to the court that didn't commit one. An 11-0 run, behind 17 points from a pumped-up Ezinne Kalu (19 points), gave Nigeria a 41-28 lead at halftime.

Halftime couldn't come soon enough for Australia as Nigeria's high press caused a multitude of uncharacteristic errors from several experienced Opals. But there was still a sense of calm about Australia at the break, with it seeming inevitable that the Opals would mount a comeback.

In the second half, Sami Whitcomb and Alanna Smith (15 points, seven rebounds) led the way as the Opals found some rhythm and swiftly got within five points, with a 12-4 start to the third term. It was then a two-point game early in the final term and the Opals taking over down the stretch seemed a near certainty.

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But once again the Aussies were their own worst enemies, with a Jackson fumble under the hoop creating a five-point swing when Nigeria's Elizabeth Balogun skipped down court to hit a deep three at the other end. Missed free throws then cruelled Australia as they made just one of six in the fourth quarter. From there momentum swung in the African champions' favour, with Australia's lack of confidence plastered on their faces as Nigeria pulled away for what in the end was a relatively comfortable victory.

with AAP