BANGKOK (FIBA U19 World Championship for Women) - Australia's U19 Gems came up with a clinical performance to overpower Argentina 75-51 to open their Group A campaign on Thursday.

Elizabeth Cambage was the tallest player on court - with her 203cm presence - and was the highest scorer for the game with 20 points. That 16 of them came in the first half crystallized the Gems' showing.

Cambage also pulled down eight rebounds as Australia finished a 36-19 ahead in the battle of the boards.

 "Of course we can improve," Gems coach Dean Kinsman sounded the warning bells to the others in the fray.

"This is a long tournament and we are sure to land in the tougher pool in the second round," Kinsman said about his decision to give 11 players more than ten minutes each on the court.

Argentina trailed throughout, but managed to keep the deficit to manageable limits at least till the early part of the third quarter.

But once Australia made the move with a 9-1 run to close the third quarter, the issue went beyond Argentina's reach.

Another 10-1 run towards the end of the game only increased Australia's margin of victory.

Rachel Jarry and Gretel Tippett both returned 12 points each for Australia.

Andrea Boquette and Ornelia Santana shared the scoring honors for Argentina with 11 points apiece.

FIBA