Australia eased past Japan 97-78 Wednesday to remain unbeaten at the Athens Olympics women's basketball tournament.

Lauren Jackson scored 31 points and pulled down nine rebounds to lead the Sydney Olympic silver medalist to its third straight victory in preliminary group A.

Yuko Oga led the lowly Japanese, who were outrebounded 53-17, with 21 points.

Australia had a 56-35 advantage at the half time and improved to 85-48 early in the fourth quarter.

Japan, who finished runner-up to China at the Asian Championship in January, now had one win against two losses.

Source: Xinhua