France fell to the Australian gems

Dean Kinsman the Australian head coach, has made three trips to France in the last 18 months with his team to play in youth international basketball tournaments.

The aim was for his players to learn about how the European teams play basketball.

France knew all about Liz (Elizabeth) Cambage (left) as they had seen her play during the GEMS spring tour of France and Italy.

Cambage finished the game with 38 points and 10 rebounds.

She also drew 15 fouls as Australia ran out winners (66-57).

However the game was only decided in the last minute.

Rachel Jarry who was the MVP in a recent tournament in France picked up an offensive rebound and scored.

Then Stephanie Cummings caught Eléonore Grossemy off guard to take the ball and have a free run to the basket to score (65-57) with 18 seconds left to play and pick up a foul.

Cummings hit the free-throw for the last score of the game.

France actually had the better start to the game and led (13-8) after a three-pointer by Grossemy with 90 seconds left to play in the first period.

Australia reduced the deficit with back to back baskets from Cambage (12-13) by the end of the first period.

France managed to keep Cambage quiet in the second period and did most of their scoring from outside the paint.

They went into the locker room leading (29-24). Australia kept in touch with three-pointers from Cummings and Kerryn Harrington.

The third period belonged to Cambage as she scored the first 10 points for her side to take the lead (34-32) with five minutes left to play in the quarter.

Margaux Okou Zouzouo put a halt to the Cambage's show briefly to tie the game (34-34) for the last time in the game.

Cambage put Australia back in front before Harrington added a couple more points from the free-throw line.

France were on the back foot and then lost Allison Verneray in a strange incident.

She was called for a foul on Cambage. Unknown to Veneray or the French team, she was already on 4 fouls and had to leave the court with her 5th foul. There was some discussion but the official score sheet showed 5 fouls.

Cambage scored the free-throws and by the end of the quarter Australia led (46-36).

Australia maintained their control early on in the final period and had a maximum lead of 16 points (52-36).

France went on a late charge with Isabelle Strunc hitting 5 points and Pauline Thizy also finding her way to the basket (43-54) with six minutes left to play.

France started to shoot more from beyond the arc with Thizy and Okou Zouzouo hitting the target.

Once again Cambage kept Australia on track with 2 more points (58-49).

Laurie Datchy continued the French three-point festival and Australia were put on the back foot.

Cambage was called for a shooting foul on Okou Zouzouo from beyond the arc.

Okou Zouzouo hit all three free-throws and with the game entering money-time Grossemy fired in for France (57-60).

France did not score again and Australia went on win.