LJ Sits, Opals Cruise

The Australian Defence Force Opals didn't need Storm All-Star Lauren Jackson Wednesday as they swept a two-game exhibition series with Brazil, winning 85-62 in Sydney. The Opals demonstrated their balanced scoring attack, with six players scoring at least eight points led by 17 from former Storm center Suzy Batkovic and 13 by Belinda Snell. Australia scored 51 points after halftime and shot 52 percent from the field for the game. Here's a recap and the box score for the game.

Brazil played without Storm center Kelly Santos, who will join the team in time for the Olympics. Santos' role up front became more important when Brazil got the bad news that veteran center Erika DeSouza will miss the Olympics. DeSouza, who broke her leg in May, returned to play for the Atlanta Dream Sunday against New York. However, she apparently was reinjured in that game and was replaced on Brazil's roster yesterday.

Jackson sat out after feeling some soreness in her right ankle. Examination revealed an anterior impingement, so Australia played it safe and rested her.

''It's a disappointment to not be on the court, but that's the nature of the game, injuries,'' Jackson told the Canberra Times. ''But I will be back for the Olympics.''

Next up for Australia, like the United States, is the FIBA Diamond Ball for Women Tournament in Haining. Both teams will play their first Diamond Ball game on Sunday. The brief six-team tournament, which also includes China, Latvia, Mali and Russia, wraps up Tuesday. Olympic play starts the following Saturday.